Cover photo for Rafael Torres Chavez's Obituary
Rafael Torres Chavez Profile Photo
1955 Rafael 2017

Rafael Torres Chavez

December 26, 1955 — June 8, 2017

Rafael Torres Chavez returned to his Heavenly Father June 8, 2017 from Cirrhosis of the Liver, surrounded by his loving family. Born December 26, 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jose Angel Chavez and Regina Esther Torres. Rafael was the oldest of 5 boys. He graduated from Jordan High School. He served an LDS mission to the California Spanish speaking mission. He worked in the family business, Rafael's Mexican Restaurant for many years and the last few years as the prep cook with his father. They were a great team and when Rafael decided to quit the restaurant his father said, "Lito quits, I quit". He met Collette Anderson in 1981 at an LDS singles dance and they were married in the Jordan River Temple in 1982. They are the parents of 2 children. He got his CDL from Todds CDL driving school and drove a semi truck and loved it but did not like being away from his family for 6 weeks at a time. He then drove a school bus for Jordan School District. He drove a bus for handicapped elementary children. He loved his job and they loved him and he was very successful. His hobbies were fishing, camping and being with his family. He loved being around people and was a true friend to many. On family gatherings when everyone started laughing and it went on for a while, he would say "Oh Dear, Oh Dear" and we knew he had laughed all he could but it made everyone laugh more because it was the way he said it that made it so funny. He was a yellow green belt in Taekwondo and won 2 medals in competition. Rafael loved his Heavenly Father and devoted his life in the service to the LDS church in many capacities. He struggled the last 4 months with Cirrhosis of the liver, which eventually affected his lungs, heart and kidneys. Then he got pneumonia which made it impossible for him to breathe on his own. He never complained but was tired of being tired all the time. He wished he could go fishing just one more time. He is survived by his wife, Collette; daughter, Christina; son Elijah; brothers Daniel (Leda), Miguel (Stephanie), Jody (Bobbie), Pancho (Jill) Chavez; many uncles, aunts and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents; and 2 nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at West Jordan Oquirrah 5th Ward, 5208 W. Cyclamen Way (6340 S). Viewings will be held Friday, June 16th, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and again on Saturday at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment, West Jordan City Cemetery, 7800 South 1300 West. Place of Birth:Salt Lake City, UtahPlace of Death:Salt Lake City, Utah
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rafael Torres Chavez, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 28

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree