Manuel Simonet Chavira Jr.

Manuel Simonet Chavira Jr, 58, passed away among family on November 20, 2023, in Ventura. His last years, months, days, and hours were filled with kindness, gratitude, and thanksgiving. He was a gentle soul who was patient and kind to a fault. Manuel fought stage four cancer for the past 5 years. Retiring in 2019, to manage his treatment schedule and tend to his girls, Simonet and Pasirus. He loved to cook breakfast in the morning and was a savant at ordering take out, when the day was done.

Born on June 8, 1965, at Balinda Hospital in Port Hueneme, California, Manuel was the beloved son of Jennie Simonet Chavira and Jose Manuel Chavira Sr, who preceded him in death, as well as his beloved family members Christian Guerra, Louie Garcia, Abraham Munoz Jr and Miquel Munoz.

Manuel attended the local Colonia schools, a community he cherished and was proud to be from, graduated from Channel Islands High School in 83. He furthered his education, earning an Associate of Science degree in auto mechanics. Anyone who knows Manuel knew he despised working on vehicles unless it was for a friend, and it would require a payment of BBQ plate or hamburger meal, don't forget the coke with ice. Needless to say, he returned to college and explored working in a career in helping people and became a CSW for the County of Ventura RAIN Project. While he loved his community and working with people rebuilding their lives for 10 plus years the decision was made to forward onto a new career path.

He and his wife moved to Northern California and began new careers as psychiatric technicians. His passion for music led him to opportunities to work within the State hospital system, working with patients in music and leisure therapies. He helped patients use music and art as an avenue to understand the correlations between their own behaviors and recovery. He helped coordinate patient hospital events, show casing patients talents and the acquired coping skills it takes to play in band. He helped patients reconnect with religion and faith with the use of chapel services.
The families of RAIN touched his life in a way that motivated him to work with the mentally ill. Hence the change in career. Working at RAIN and DSH-Coalinga in CPS was the highlight of his work accomplishments. The relationships and memories he built, cherished and valued, often calling many of his work family members, his sisters and brother such as; Ada, Robyn, Robert, Gale, Charles, Luke, Lee, Sara and Antoinette, just to name a few.

Our Manuel was a loving soul who wasn't afraid of any dessert table. Manuel wasn't a sport fan, but you could see him at any of the kids' many events, supporting them with arms full of concession stand goodies, chili fries, slush pups and nachos. At any time at home or on the road, you could find him with a musical instrument in his arms, or a music magazine next to his favorite chair in the front living room. He spent hours in his home office, tracking the house budget, paying bills, listening to music from Hardrock to soft jazz, and a mix of gangster rap. Not forgetting his online shopping for his next vintage Pendleton. Often this occurred while the grandchildren played his video games, played with his toys, exploring papas' treasures, hearing his childhood stories, or hung around his neck, begging him to come play with them. He always had time for a round of video games, a bike ride, pool time or making Papa's favored popcorn. In his pockets or around his work area you could find at least one of his many dated lists he made to remember all the things he needed to do or pick up. He was a very busy man, loving his family the only way he knew, through deeds. You never had to guess what he was thinking because he shared it in loving and simple terms.

Manuel will be deeply missed by his many brothers and sisters in life: Rosemarie Corona, Christina Guzman, Leilani Banales, Laurita Sword, Frank Bibian, Manuel Ramiez, Danny Diaz, Abraham Munoz III (wife Kathy), Dorina (husband Sean), and mother-in-law Raquel Hurtado. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, and nephews, the Lopez children, the Sword children, and Mathew Balades.

Manuel had a full and happy life that he shared with his wife Sonia, and their six children: Patrick (wife Heather), Balvina (husband Louie), Sergio, Micheala, Mitchell (wife Vanessa) and Enedina, and their 11 grandchildren; Simonet, Annalise, Raul, Parius, Emillio, William, Miabelle, Abraham, Mathew, Auggie, and Gabriel, his two Godsons Andrew Bibian and Anthony Espinosa, and the scores of family and children he treasured and had the honor to be part of their lives through the RAIN project in Camarillo California.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Manual Chavira Jr, a cherished husband, brother, uncle, and friend on December 8, 2023, at 6 PM. The services will take place with the compassionate professionals at Reardon Funeral Home, 511 North A St., Oxnard, they are assisting the family with the arrangements. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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