Lawrence I. Chàvez

Lawrence I. Chàvez 

1932-2024 

Lawrence I. Chàvez, age 91, a resident of Belen, passed away on April 30, 2024.  

Services will take place at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, beginning with a visitation at 11 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 12 p.m., with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Chàvez; three children, Randy Castillo (Marie), Carolyn Castillo and Evelyn Brower (Richard); grandchildren, Emily, Elisa, Andrea, Darlene, Jessica, Julie, Jerrin, Kimberly, Richard, Carlos, Kimi and Lisa, who will all miss their Pop; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Chàvez (Meta); and many nieces and nephews.  

Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Ruby King Chàvez; son, Patrick Castillo; and siblings, Frank, Joe, Tommy and Robert Chàvez and Theresa Toledo.  

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, the VFW, DAV, Elks and an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus. Lawrence was a Korean War Veteran. He is well known in Belen for starting the Belen Flea Market at ALCOs and later moving it to N.M. 314.  

Pallbearers will be Elisa and Emily Ashford, Richard Castillo, Darlene Lopez, Andrea Tyson, Kimberly Gallegos and Carlos Archuleta.  

Please sign Lawrence’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.