Chandler "Chan" Chaffin

CHANDLER “CHAN” CHAFFIN

Funeral services longtime area resident, Chandler “Chan” Chaffin will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Lewis Arriola Community Center, 21176 Road S, Cortez. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Yellow Jacket, Colo.

  Chandler Chaffin went home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2024, at the age of 80.  Chan was born in Golden, Colorado on December 20, 1943. He was one of 9 children for Victor and Elsie Chaffin. Chan referred to them as the best parents one could ask for. Chan grew up and went to school in Yellow Jacket, Colorado.

  Chan was often referred to by family as the “Energizer Bunny”. He liked to work at a very young age.  His first job when very young was picking up sticks and rocks, then working the ground planting beans and wheat at Yellow Jacket. He was also known to assist his mom with household chores like Laundry. 

  At a very young age Chan met the love of his life, Kathy Loyd.   After a little fighting, with family and others, they were married July 6, 1963, in Springfield Colorado when he was 19 and she was 14. After moving back to Cortez, they had 4 children together and were married 51 years until Kathy passed away in 2014.

  Chan worked for Basin Coop early on and that is when his entrepreneurial mind set kicked in that he could start a Farm Store of his very own.  He and Kathy started the Arriola Store and ran and operated it for 21 years in downtown Arriola.   After that Chan ran many different businesses including a mobile power wash, an antique store, Chan’s Mol Mix, Chaffin country store where one could partake of the finest roadkill this side of the Mississippi, and finally Chan’s Bobcat Service.

  Later in life, Chan married his friend and companion Jan Hollstein. They had been married for 6 years when she passed away on Christmas Day.

  On top of all this work Chan found time for some volunteer work as well.  He was one of the founding members of the Lewis Arriola Fire Department and was a member for 21 years where he served as Chief as part of his tenure.  He loved serving his community in this manner and he could be counted on to make every call.  He had a passion for the department and his fellow Fire Fighters both past and present.

  Chan had a vision that the Arriola community needed a recreation center. In 1998 that vision became a reality and the Lewis Arriola Community Center (LACC)was created.  The LACC was a passion for Chan and has become a staple in our community.  He served as president of the board for 23 years when he retired.  Chan was proud that Jason was willing to fulfill his legacy and become part of the board to fill his void.

  Chan was often referred to as the “Mayor of Arriola”.  He loved his community and community members and enjoyed this title very much.  

  He was a dedicated Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army serving 10 plus years of service.  He also was a Blood Donor.  His goal was 5 gallons of blood, and he did achieve that goal. He was a FFA Judge for livestock and a little league baseball coach.

  For fun Chan loved to play Softball and he was an avid pitcher. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping.  He loved to play Ladder Ball while camping and he was sure to tease and hackle his opponent the entire time they were playing.

  Chan had the biggest heart known to man and would do anything for anyone. He did not know a stranger. He enjoyed writing poems, as he wrote 100’s of poems for many people in Montezuma County.  He had a very large personality and he loved to pull pranks on Friends and Family. 

  Chan is survived by his son, Rick Chaffin, his son, Jason Chaffin and wife, Marsha; daughter, Litonya Gillan and husband, Russell; and granddaughters, Abigail and Zoe Gillan.  Also surviving Chan are his brother, Gary Chaffin and wife, Donna and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

  He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Kathy Chaffin; his beloved son, Scott; his companion wife, Jan; sisters Dorothey, Betty, Marie, and Shirley; brothers Danny, Stanley, Doug; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

  The Family would like to thank Hospice of Montezuma for the wonderful care and love Chan received, namely, Nicole, Leah, Dani, Ian, Rosemary, Wanda, and Joyce.  Also, a special thank you to Gary and Donna, Buckley, as well as Anita, Kerry, and Theresa for the care and love shown to Chan.

  Donations can be made to the Lewis Arriola Community Center on the website or mailed to 21176 Road S Cortez, CO 81321.