Written by: Skyler Dale
Ray Chavez was not only a dedicated serviceman, he was also a committed community member, and above all, a loving father and husband. At 106 years old, he is the oldest survivor of Pearl Harbor. Now, nearly three years following his death, a post office in Poway will be dedicated to him, ensuring the veterans legacy will live on.
The Poway Post Office, located at 13308 Midland Rd. will bear his memory along with a plaque that has his name enshrined. Public Law 116-230 dedicated the U.S. Postal Service office in Poway, where Chavez lived, as the “Ray Chavez Post Office Building.” Former President, Donald Trump, approved this on December 21st, 2020. As of August 19th, 2021, this post office will commemorate his legacy for centuries to come.
Ray Chavez was born in San Bernardino, CA, on 10 March, 1912. At age 27 he joined the Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor on a coastal minesweeper, the USS Condor. Four years later, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked; ultimately sparking America’s entry into the Second World War. He spent the next nine days on continuous duty, aiding the wounded.
Tragically, in 1956, his daughter Margaret Gibson, along with her husband, William Howard Gibson, and their 18-month-old granddaughter, Mary Kathleen Gibson, were killed in a car accident on their way to Los Angeles. Struck by this horrific incident, in 1957, Chavez and his wife, Margaret Specht, adopted a five year old daughter named Kathleen Chavez from a San Diego orphanage. Ray is now survived by Kathleen, a Navy veteran herself.
For 30 years UC San Diego remembers Ray as a former groundskeeper. He then went on to run his own landscaping business out of Poway until he retired at the age of 96. In recent times, Mr. Chavez participated in the ceremony for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. Additionally, an iconic image of Ray is when he attended a memorial day celebration at the White House in 2018, where he met former President Donald Trump.
Ray’s life has been impactful to many. It is an important day for the County of San Diego to honor this veteran with lasting legacy. If any one finds the time, or lives in Poway, they should definitely check out the Post Office and give thanks to Ray.
Picture from: Fox News
