Steven Luis Chavez

Steven Luis ‘Chais’ Chavez passed away peacefully in his sleep at 60 years of age on September 22, 2024 in Tularosa, New Mexico.

After completing 2 years of college at UCLA in 1983-4, Steven completed his B. A. in Psychology at John F. Kennedy University in San Jose, California in 2016. He was a licensed cosmetologist who co-owned a salon, “Steven’s on the Plaza” in Los Altos, California. Creativity was a way of life for Steven, which he expressed through the media of painting and drawing, home decorating, maintaining a stylish wardrobe, and throwing fabulous parties. Traveling was a passion of his, traversing the globe from Costa Rica to Europe to Turkey to Hong Kong and Bali. He lived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 3 years. 

Steven is survived by his brother John Chavez, niece Angelisa Chavez, nephews John Chavez, Jr. and Eugene Chavez, and partner for 28 years, Mark Bannick. 

Steven’s philosophy of life was encapsulated in his own quote, which he included in a painting of a seabird in flight:

“God granted that I should fly

And take wing to the wind of life. 

I shalln’t be captured or tamed

For I am…

The wings of freedom.”

Steven liked to be in the company of other people, sharing his talents freely with them. He liked to take art materials to the beach and encourage children to try their hand at painting and drawing. He volunteered as a group mediator for people with PTSD at the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center in San Jose, California, putting his psychology skills to practical use. 

He especially loved Gigi, his Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier mix who was his constant companion, comfort, and service dog. 

The funeral services will be held at the end of October. Please contact the family directly for further details. 

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