Ramiro Chavez Sr. 1939-2007Our greatly revered Ramiro Chavez Sr., was born on March 3, 1939 to Emilio Sr. and Desideria Chavez in Granger, Texas. Our Lord Jesus Christ called him home on January 22, 2007 while he was surrounded by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Pablo Chavez, Emilio Chavez Jr., Tomas Chavez, Reynaldo Chavez and Fernando Chavez; sister Irene Perez. He was very active and loved playing golf and bingo, growing flowers and working with the horses until his illness set in. For almost 50 years he worked for Kurth Sprague and his late wife Ruth, becoming in that time a deeply cherished friend. For 35 of those years Ramiro Chavez was the respected and valued manager of Blackacre Stable, where generations of young Austinites learning to ride recognized him as their friend and confidant. Their elders could always count upon being greeted with a warm, genuine smile from a decent, honorable man. As one long-time friend of the stable said upon learning of his death, ?Ramiro was such a gentleman of the old school.? The family would like to especially thank his longtime friend and confidant Kurth Sprague and the late Ruth ?Bushie? Sprague, as well as the entire Sprague family. The family also extends special thanks to Dr. Peter Miller and the staff of Capitol Dialysis. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years Estella; sons Ramiro Chavez Jr. and wife Angie, Ricky Chavez and wife Diana, Albert Chavez and wife Jessica, Maurice Chavez, Michael Chavez and wife Rosie, Anthony Chavez and wife Cindy, Alex Chavez and wife Tammy; daughters Connie and husband Joe Aguilar, Angie and husband Isidro Torres, Mary and husband John Herrera, Rebecca and husband Jesus Arroyo and Lisa Bustos ;brothers David Chavez Sr. and wife Terry, Adam Chavez and wife Patsy, Robert Chavez Sr, Albert Chavez, Joe Chavez and Rafael Chavez; sister Rosa and husband Magdaleno Medina Jr.; 32 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Recitation of rosary Thursday, 7:00 p.m. at the Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel 6204 South First Street. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday 10:00 a.m. at Dolores Catholic Church. Rev. Edwin Kadzielawski will officiate. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers are Anthony Hernandez Jr., Julian Benavides Jr., Ricky Chavez Jr., Anthony Chavez Jr., Jeremy Benavides, Ramiro Chavez III, David Chavez Sr. and Magdaleno Medina Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Kurth Sprague, Quin Sprague, David Sprague and Robin Clements.