Andres Lorenzo Chavez

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Andres Lorenzo Chavez, 32,  passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

He was the beloved son of his father Andrew Chavez, and of his mother Alicia Chavez and Lawrence Swanson, he was a dedicated father to Antonio and Steven Chavez. Andres was a devoted partner to Stacey Vargas and daughter Bella Vargas, loving brother of Melissa, Jesse, Thomas, Gabriel, and Maricella Chavez and cherished family member and friend to innumerable loved ones.

After graduating from Albuquerque’s Valley High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Crash, Fire, and Rescue crew member at his duty base in Yuma, Arizona, and achieved the rank of Corporal.

Following his honorable discharge, Andres was selected as a cadet in the Albuquerque Fire Department’s Seventy-Seventh Cadet Class. While assigned to Fire Station Two, Andres eventually received the rank of driver. He was passionate about his work and cherished the ability to help his fellow community members in their times of need.

Andres was very special to all those who knew him. He was constantly building new connections and seeking to strengthen preexisting ones. He was always the first to reach out to his friends and loved ones. Many of us received spontaneous calls and messages from Andres in which he asked us how we were, shared some funny video, or simply let us know that he was thinking of us. These correspondences exemplified Andres as a person: family-oriented, kind-hearted, funny, generous with his time and even more generous with his affection.

Andres cared about the people in his life in the truest sense. He firmly believed in the importance of family and friends. He loved them with neither condition nor pretense. He expected nothing in return for his kindness and loyalty. He had so much goodness in his heart, and the world is truly a dimmer place without his laughter, humor, endless charm, and unflagging spirit.

A Memorial Service is planned for 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 4000 Bosque School Road NW 87120.  All who wish to attend are welcome.

A Committal Service will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with military honors.