Derek Michael Chavez

Derek Michael Chavez passed away on Thursday, January 12th, 2023. He was born Sunday, June 3rd, 1990, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Derek always had a curious nature and was a happy soul. He loved sports of all kinds and was a lifelong fan of the Lobos, Lakers, and Dallas cowboys. He loved spending Sunday evenings with his grandparents, father, aunts, uncles, and cousins at his grandparents' home. He attended Arroyo del Oso and Eisenhower and graduated from Eldorado High School in 2008. During his school years, Derek met his lifelong friends who became his brothers: Dusty Fleming, Joshua Rodriguez, Victor Joel Tapia, TJ Marrujo, Jeremy Wright, Raymond Van Bruskirk, and Steven Schneider.

After graduation Derek started working in the New Mexico film industry, starting as a PA for Crash 2. From there he excelled in the industry, becoming a production secretary, travel coordinator, APOC, POC, Producer, and then a Production Supervisor for the Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923. He absolutely gave his all to anyone he met and loved to mentor and promote people within the industry. During this time of his life, Derek met and fell in love with his beautiful wife Kristen and his bonus amazing daughter Ava. Together they had a miracle in their daughter Emmy Stace, who completed their family perfectly. Derek loved spending time in Hawaii with his parents, where he later proposed to his now wife and had their beautiful waterfall wedding in January of 2022.

Derek's greatest accomplishment was his capacity to love. He loved deeply with his whole heart, whether it was his wife and children, parents, family, friends, or coworkers. His greatest gifts were his enthusiasm, intelligence, and sense of humor. He genuinely cared about people, hearing their stories, and encouraging and inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves. His loss is immeasurable for those who love him.

Derek is survived by wife, Kristen Chavez; and their children, Emmy and Ava; mother, Stacey Santos (husband Wayne Santos); father, David Chavez; grandparents, Connie and Henry Chavez; grandmother, Sharon Colter; grandfather, Michael Higgins; aunts, Trisilla Ward (husband Scott Ward), Angela Bourgoin (husband Greg Bourgoin), and Carrie Garcia (husband Charles Garcia). He is also survived by cousins, Tiffany Washington (husband Houston Washington and daughters, Keyrah and Sarah), Holli Archuleta (husband Miguel Archuleta and children Jordi , Diego, and Abriella), Amber Rodriguez (husband Phil Rodriguez and children Eli, Kaiden, and Brenna), Ashley Nakotte (husband Jan Nakotte and son Xavier), Monique Beaudet (husband Josh Beaudet and children Kyle and Sophia), Patrick Garcia (wife Crystal Garcia), Miranda Bourgoin, and Robert Trasp (sons Lucas and Landon).

Derek is preceded in death by great-grandmother, Gabrileta Morlock; great-grandfather, Henry Chavez Sr.; great-grandmother, Helen Apodaca; great-grandfather, Efren Apodaca; and great-aunt, Linda Gabaldon.