Fred Chavez

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Fred

E. Chavez Jr. (Freddy) on Thursday, July 30, 2026 following a brief illness.

Freddy was born on July 11, 1949 to Carmen and Fred Chavez in Santa Fe, NM. He began playing music professionally at the early age of 13. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1968. He was drafted into the US Army in 1969 and proudly served his country while stationed in Germany until 1971. Upon his return, he met Stella Martinez. They married in April, 1972 and went on to have three children.

Freddy continued to play music professionally and worked for the State of New Mexico, Taxation and Revenue Department. He retired as the Bureau Chief of the Property Tax Division in 2002. After retirement, he worked for Open Hands and fully retired in 2011. Freddy enjoyed camping with his family, hunting, fishing, and spending time at his "ranch" down south. He also continued playing music with his band; the choir at church; sang many weddings, rosaries and funerals; and played at local restaurants with his son, Gabe which was a great joy to him until the time of his illness.

Freddy is preceded in death by his parents, Carmen and Fred Chavez; his in-laws Eli and Emma Martinez; son in law, Danny Bransford; granddaughter, Larissa War; brother in law, Richard Martinez; sisters in law Barbara Martinez and Alice Maturin.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Stella Chavez; his children Anna War (Alex); Gabe Chavez (Leah), and Lisa Chavez; his grandchildren, Jeremy Bransford, Alex P. War, Ziamara and Alonzo Chavez, and Jacob Montoya; great grandchild Eli; sister-in-law, Anita Martinez, brothers in law Anthony Martinez (Annette), and Ronald Martinez; special niece, Nikki Martinez, special nephew, James Martinez; special cousins Gilbert and April Maestas; and special friends Corina and Dimitri, and Bryan and Mary Maestas. He is also survived by extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Services will be held at Santa Maria De La Paz Catholic Church as follows: Rosary Thursday, August 6th at 7:00pm, Funeral mass Friday, August 7th at 10:00 with burial to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:15 am.

Serving as pallbearers will be Alex War, Jeremy Bransford, Jacob Montoya, Gilbert Maestas, Bryan Maestas, and Clifford Mascarenas. Honorary pallbearers will be Ziamara and Alonzo Chavez, Alex P. War, Godchildren Maria Gonzales, Shanai Trujillo, Lori Mendoza, Sam Montoya, Richard Ulibarri, and Michael Ulibarri.

The family would like extend a sincere thank you for the compassionate care that Freddy received at Christs St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Christus St.

Vincent Regional Cancer Center, and from Compassus Hospice.