Anthony Chavira

Some people live long lives scattered with accomplishment here and there. Others, like Tony Chavira, are granted a short time on earth, but fill every day of their lives with energy, life and accomplishment. Tony died suddenly in Holland May 4, 2003 as a result of injuries from a car accident. Tony was born May 5, 1980 in Caro, Michigan the son of Ramiro and Maria Cristina Chavira. Although Tony died one day short of his 23rd birthday, he was able to fill his life with numerous accomplishments and boundless love for his family. Even as a child his jet black hair and Latino features defined his good looks; his grandmother would point to his baby picture that hung among the gallery of grandchildren pictures and remark that "he was the handsome one". Growing up in the Saginaw, Michigan area, he was an honor student and attended Buena Vista High School graduating in 1998. During high school he pursued a wrestling career, competing at weights between 140 and 152 pounds. As a young child he spent countless hours wrestling with his dad on the floor at home and later would have the honor of his father as his assistant wrestling coach in school. Tony had a special relationship with his mother and he was her special "punkin". His good looks and leadership had a way of drawing people to him. Tony loved his family and would often try to talk his father into visiting his extended family in Texas. It was this Mexican heritage that fueled his love of Tejano music. Following high school Tony proudly served his country in the US Army for two years, and when the army discovered his color blindness, his electronic career hopes were switched to heavy equipment operator; a skill he would carry into the working world. Tony moved to West Michigan to attend ITT Technical school, his family would follow his lead and come to the west side of the state and eventually they would settle in Holland. He had worked at Plascor in Zeeland and currently Tony worked at Arrow Electronics with his father; every day they would share their break times and lunch together. His family includes his mother & father Mari "Cris" and Ramiro Chivera of Holland, his daughter, Veronica Chavira and son Anthony Michael Chavira; brother Michael Perry, grandparent, Roberto and Maria da Lal uz Vela of Caro, Michigan, Carlos and Alejandra Chavira of Texas, friends called Thursday May 8, 2-4 and 7-9 pm, at the Mulder chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, Holland, where a Celebration of Life Service was held Friday 3:oo pm. Burial followed in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland. Memorial gifts may be made to the Ortiz Family Foundation for the benefit of the Holland Hispanic Community.