Adan G. Chavana

Adan G. Chavana passed away on June 6th at the age of 96 surrounded by his wife, Bertha, and his children.

He was born in Rachel, Texas on March 28, 1929, to Justo and Elvira Chavana. After graduating from Falfurrias High School, he married the love of his life, Bertha Salazar on March 4, 1950, in Alice, Texas. Dad moved to Port Lavaca to work at Alcoa in Point Comfort. Mom followed shortly after. Dad retired from Alcoa after 41 years of service. In 1952, he and his wife opened Chavana's Grocery & Meat Market. While he worked full time at Alcoa, Bertha ran the grocery store while raising 7 children together. The grocery store remained open from 1952–2023 and was widely known for carrying products other stores did not have. The business and his rental properties allowed him to provide an education beyond high school to all of his children. Even though he was a businessman, he and Bertha always made sure to help anyone in need of food or to have a place of shelter. The two of them always allowed customers to come in and take what foods they needed on credit. Often times, the customers would not pay them back, but our parents never actively sought repayment.

Adan is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Bertha Chavana; his children, Larry Chavana (Jessica) from Laredo, Dennis Chavana (Teresa) from Angleton, Bertha E. Chavana aka Biri (Bo) from Edinburg, Alonzo Chavana (Karen) from Noodle, Laura Estella McCallum (Raul) from Edinburg, and Danny Chavana (Melissa) from San Antonio. He is also survived by his younger brother, Amadeo Chavana; daughter–in–law, Laura Chavana; 22 grandchildren, 19 great–grandchildren, several nieces and nephews that he loved and cared for.

Adan is preceded in death by his mom and dad, five of his siblings, Aurora Rodriguez, Audelia Longoria, Adelfa Longoria, Adolfo Chavana, and Justo Chavana. He is also preceded in death by his oldest son, Justo Raul Chavana, grandson Sean Murray, and great–granddaughter, Annabelle Christine Villarreal.

A special thanks to our cousins, Diana Dicenzo and Ida & Dan Burchfield for caring for our parents while, we siblings, worked in our respective careers away from Port Lavaca. We would also like to thank Linda Villarreal–Reyes and Noemi Villarreal Cruz for their endless support during this difficult time.

Another special thanks to the 5th floor nurses at De Tar Navarro Hospital and the nursing staff from Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center in Victoria. The nurses, Dr. Meyer, and the volunteers at the hospice center provided such wonderful and compassionate care that it gave us a glimpse into Heaven.

Visitation will begin Friday, June 13, 2025, from 4:00PM — 7:00PM with a holy rosary to be recited at 6:00PM at Grace Funeral Chapel, 1604 W. Austin St. in Port Lavaca. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11:00AM at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, 415 W. Austin Street in Port Lavaca with Father Tommy Chen to officiate. Interment to follow at Port Lavaca Cemetery, 500 Martin Luther King Drive in Port Lavaca.

Pallbearers will be, Larry Chavana, Dennis Chavana, Alonzo Chavana, Danny Chavana, Diego Chavana, Gabriel Chavana, Diana Dicenzo and Laurie McCallum.

Honorary pallbearers are, Jay McCallum, Jesus (Chuy) Orozco, David Longoria, Hector Paz Longoria, Dan & Ida Burchfield, Jose Contreras, Judy Torres.

Thoughts and memories may be shared online at www.gracefuneralhome.net.

Arrangements and services under the personal care of Grace Funeral Chapel, Port Lavaca, 361–552–1705.