Benito Chavez

Benito (Ben S) Chavez, 89, left this earth on July 30, 2026 surrounded by his family in his Waterflow, NM home. Ben was born on March 19, 1937 in Mountainair, NM to Jose and Lucretia Chavez. He married the love of his life, Mercedes (Mercy) in Albuquerque in 1962 and they raised 3 daughters and shared a life for 52 years. Ben was a proud member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49 for over 60 years. He started his years as a "tinner" in Albuquerque, NM, and in 1970 started helping build the San Juan Power Plant near Waterflow. He moved his family to the area in 1973 and continued his work there for several years. He worked for 7 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory before retirement. Anyone who knew Ben knew that he was a true New Mexican cowboy, an amazing storyteller, an occasional yarn spinner, gun enthusiast, a firearms and bow marksman, and an avid hunter and fisherman. He never ran out of stories and told them to his grandchildren until his last days. He is preceded in death by his love, Mercy, his parents Jose and Lucretia, siblings Mary Ann Strong, Jose Chavez, Jr., Louis Chavez, Mary Esther McRae, and Anne Salmen, and his beloved Ben Horse. He is survived by his siblings, Chris Covington, Dolores Farone, and Gene Chavez; his daughters, Deanna Chavez (Chris Fuqua), Stephanie Chavez, and Donnell Mascarenas; his grandchildren Jessica Corral (Silvano), Felicia Marez (Philip), Amy Mascarenas, Mercedes McFarland (Chase), Sophia Salazar, and David Sanchez; his great-granddaughters Hannah, Alisia, Grace, Megan, Leyla, and Amilia; and several special nieces, nephews and in-laws. In his last years, Ben was very grateful for all the visits, brought meals, and help from his community, especially from close friends Kent Sweek, Eddie Lake, Margie Dixon and Annette Goodwin. He also developed a close relationship to Father Sangeeth "Sam" Joseph who was a source of amazing peace to Ben and the Chavez family. Services will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Waterflow, NM with Father Sam officiating. His Rosary will be on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 7:00 pm, and Mass will be on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:00 am, with burial immediately following in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be David Sanchez, Gene Chavez, David Tafoya, Kent Sweek, Silvano Corral, and Chris Fuqua. Memorial donations may be made to Basin Hospice in Farmington, NM.