Lt. Col. John Chavez USAF (Ret).

John passed away at the age of 97 on Dec 02, 2021 in Sacramento, California.  He is survived by his son Jonathan (Sandy) Chavez, daughter Maryann (Steve) Leenstra, Grandchildren BJ (Becky) Chavez, Dana (Logan) Grimm, and great-grandchild Beatrice, and many cousins.  John served 27 years and 4 months in the military.  First, in World War II as a "Trailblazer" member of the 70th Infantry Division, 276th Regiment.  Next in the Korean War briefly as a B-29 Bomber pilot.  Then in the Vietnam War as a B-52 bomber pilot. He retired in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force.  His love for aviation continued to the FAA as an Air Carrier Inspector, then to United Airlines as an instructor.  In April 2015 he was choen to go on an "Honor Flight" to Washington DC for World War II veterans with his daughter Maryann accompaning him as a Guardian Angel. While there he was interviewed by PBS TV Channel.  Upon his return he was interviewed by a local TV station in Sacramento. John continued his travels by going back to France for his military reunions, and taking road trips on the Alcan Highway to Alaska.  John will be remembered for his abundance of war stories, being in Veteran's Day parades and his love for his German Shepherds Lucy, Ethel and Holly.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Patricia Chavez and his daughter Michaele Ann.  Friends are welcome for visitation on December 15 from 4 to 6 PM and invited to attend the Holy Rosary Service at 6 PM all at Price Funeral Chapel, 6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA 95610.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 16 at 10:30AM at Saint Mel Catholic Church, 4745 Pennsylvania Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628.  Burial to follow at Fair Oaks Cemetery.

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