Christobal Saavedra

Christobal “Chris” “Chispas” Saavedra lost the love of his life and wife, Julia Saavedra four months ago.  On April 21, 2023, he was reunited with his wife of 69 years in heaven when he passed away at home at the age of 89.  Anybody who met Chris knew he was tough, self-sufficient, and larger than life.  He was the youngest of seven children and grew up during the depression.  He grew up in Albuquerque’s South Valley and spent some of his youth in East Los Angeles.    He worked hard all his life and as young boy in East LA he built a shoeshine box and would provide a shoeshine to many military servicemen along with his newspaper route.  In Albuquerque he worked as dishwasher at the Court Cafe, and he would sweep the Barber and Shoe Shops and get free haircuts, extra taps on his shoes.  Most of the money Chris earned he gave to his mother Miquela to help support the immediate family.   

Chris loved animals, and he had a passion for horses.  He owned and trained a couple of horses (Johnny Blake & Guardyercards) who were successful at match racing at several racetracks: Lubbock, San Juan Downs, La Mesa Park, Santa Fe Downs, and Sunland Park. 

Anybody who knew Chris fully understood why he had the name “Chispas.”  He was a man of his word, and he would defend himself and his family with his quick wit, and hands.  Chispas became a professional boxer, yet he had to stop his training to support his bride and young family.  If anyone was in trouble or needed a hand, they would call Chris and he would provide an attitude adjustment for the offending party and/or he would donate his time as a Cement Mason.  Chris constructed his own home, and never had a mortgage payment.  In addition, when he retired from the Cement and Plasters Union, Local 254, he opened his own company named CM Saavedra Cement Construction.  His business was successful, and Chris later retired again.

He was our true hero and champion when he also took up the cause of caring for his bride who was afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease for the past ten years.  In 2013 Chris received the “Care Giver of the Year" award from the Alzheimer’s Association, for caring for Julia.  He cared for her until she passed away at home on December 17, 2022.  The evening of her passing, he gently kissed her on the forehead, and said, “I will see you soon.”  They loved to dance and are once again reunited, and they are happily dancing in heaven.    

He is survived by his children: daughter Geraldine Herrera, and husband Joe Herrera, daughter Loretta Gonzales, and husband Ron Gonzales, son Chris Saavedra Jr. & wife Pauline Saavedra, son, Manuel Saavedra and wife, Martha Kelly, and daughter, Christine Gutierrez. He had ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.  

He is preceded in death by his wife, Julia Saavedra, his parents, Manuel and Miquela Saavedra, his sisters, Inez Vallejos, Enriquetta Gonzales, Rosa Gallegos, his brothers, Estevan Saavedra, Marcelino Saavedra, Victor Saavedra and his daughter, Juanita Saavedra (who passed 10 hours after birth). 

The pallbearers will be his grandsons: Isacc Gutierrez, Jacob Gonzales, Jeremy Saavedra, Christopher Saavedra, along with his great grandson, Pablo Aragon Herrera, and his nephew, Joe Gonzales.