Graciela Moreno Chavana on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 was presented a framed House of Representatives Memorial Resolution – along with a Texas State Flag flown over the Texas State Capitol in Austin – both honoring her late husband, David Arnoldo Chavana, from Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, in the Council Chambers at Edinburg City Hall.
A memorial resolution in the Texas House of Representatives is a formal document used to honor, commemorate, or express the sympathy of the Texas Legislature upon the death of a distinguished individual, constituent, or public servant. A memorial resolution recognizes significant life achievements.
“We mourn the loss of a true legend, David Chavana — runner, icon, and the heart behind the Valley’s largest race, the Edinburg All-America City David Chavana 10k Run/Walk. His legacy and impact on our community will never be forgotten,” city leaders announced several hours following his untimely passing on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
Being an icon means being a widely admired, timeless symbol with significant influence, known for distinctive qualities like authenticity, excellence, consistency, and a unique quality that goes beyond their filed and inspires people across generations. They represent something bigger than just fame, embodying cultural identity and leaving a lasting, positive mark through their actions, style or message.
A 1oK race is a popular long-distance running event covering 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), serving as a significant challenge for new runners and a test of endurance for experienced ones, often held as road races or community fundraisers. It is a step up from shorter races like the 5K and a stepping stone to longe events like half marathons, testing a runner’s ability to maintain a strong pace.
As part of the Saturday, December 27, 2025 city message memorializing the passing of Chavana, Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa released a statement calling Chavana a community leader and an inspiration.
“The Edinburg All-America City David Chavana 10k Run/Walk that bears his name is a testament to his passion for running, something he shared with all of us as its co-founder back in 1983,” Ochoa said. “For years, David was the heart of that event, always there at the finish line to congratulate runners and encourage the next generation. Beyond the race, he made a lasting impact on so many of us as a dedicated educator at Edinburg North High School.”
The Edinburg All-America City David Chavana 10k Run/Walk is an annual historic South Texas running event in Edinburg, promoting community health, fitness, and legacy. The 44th annual event, held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 featured a record-breaking 11,608 participants, making it one of the largest races south of San Antonio.
The “All-America City” designation in the race comes from the fact that Edinburg has been named an All-America City four times, with the most recent award announced in June 2024. Recognized by the National Civic League for excellence in civic engagement and community-driven initiatives, the city previously won the prestigious title in 1968, 1995, and 2000.
“David's legacy of health, service, and community spirit will continue to inspire us,” Ochoa added. “Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Graciela, his family, and all who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, David. You will be deeply missed.”
Also on the date of his passing, Edinburg North High School released a statement that described Chavana as an “ENHS (Edinburg North High School) icon whose life and leadership touched generations of students, staff, and community members.”
Canales, who was first elected state representative in 2012, recalled the first time he met Chavana – fittingly at that year’s All-America City 10K Run.
“I did not know David Chavana until I met him in 2012. I know he ran the 2012 race because it was an election year, and I thought it was a bright idea to put a table with water (for runners/walkers) by the middle of the race course,” Canales recalled. “And I see this man who makes a quick u-turn, all the while running, and he never stopped running, and he looks at me and says, ‘Don’t ever do that again!’
“That was how I met David Chavana,” the state lawmaker fondly reflected. “But after that, he was always a dear friend, and an icon.”
With Chavana’s family at the podium and in the audience in the Council Chambers, the House District 40 state lawmaker read out loud the memorial resolution, which follows:
“WHEREAS, The citizens of Edinburg lost a community icon with the passing of David Arnoldo Chavana on December 27, 2025, at the age of 73; and
“WHEREAS, The son of Jesús Chavana and Lydia Vásquez Chavana, David Chavana was born in Edinburg on September 23, 1952, and he grew up with the companionship of four siblings, Jesús, Jaime, Diana, and Norma; and
“WHEREAS, In the course of a rewarding career that spanned more than three decades, Mr. Chavana served as a teacher and track coach at Edinburg North High School in the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District; always greeting people with a smile and a handshake, he was respected for his leadership and his willingness to help others; and
“WHEREAS, Coach Chavana further benefited his community as the co-founder and organizer of the All-America City 10K and Fun Run, which was established in 1983 and renamed in his honor in 2019; since its inception, the race has grown to become one of the largest running events in South Texas; and
“WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Chavana enjoyed the love and support of his wife of 29 years, Graciela Chavana; he was the proud father of two sons, Vito and Noah, and through the years, his cherished family grew to include a grandson, Trey; in his leisure hours, he delighted in running, reading, and spending time with his loved ones; and
“WHEREAS, Although the loss of David Chavana is keenly felt by all who were privileged to share in his life, his legacy will remain a source of inspiration in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
“RESOLVED, That tribute be paid to the memory of David Arnoldo Chavana and that sincere condolences be extended to the members of his family: to his wife, Graciela Moreno Chavana; to his sons, Vito Chavana and his wife Erica; and Noah Chavana; to his grandson, Trey Chavana; to his siblings, Jesús José Chavana and his wife Neida; and Jaime Chavana and his wife Marissa; Diana Garza and her husband Domingo; and Norma Guzmán and her husband Joe; to his nieces and nephews; and to his other relatives and friends.”
Graciela Chavana expressed the appreciation of the extended Chavana family to the South Texas leaders for their tribute on behalf of David Chavana.
“I just wanted to thank you, Mayor Ochoa and the City Council, and Mr. Terry Canales, for honoring my husband this way. He will be missed.”
She highlighted her late husband’s personality, noting “I know if he were here, he’d probably say these three things:
“He would start off with one of his corny jokes. He would tell everyone that his name, David A. Chavana, had more “A’s” than he ever had in high school.
“The second thing he would say is how much he loved this city and this community for always supporting and loving him through all these years,” Graciela Chavana continued. “And I know the third thing he would say is ‘Puro Edinburg!’”
“Puro Edinburg is part of a well-known regional slogan, “Puro 956”, which represents intense pride, unity, and identity for residents of the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. It combines the Spanish word “puro” (meaning “pure,” “exclusively,” or “very”) with the 956 area code, which covers the area including cities like Edinburg, McAllen, Brownsville, and Harlingen.
“Thank you for honoring ‘J’,” she finished. “The Chavana family truly appreciates it. Thank you.”
The Edinburg mayor and Edinburg City Councilmember Daniel “Dan” Díaz then addressed Graciela Chavana.
“We are just so thrilled that we could recognize Mr. Chavana tonight. I am so happy that the race to honor him will be the largest we have ever had,” Ochoa said. “Mr. David Chavana, he was “Puro” Edinburg. Aside from saying it, he himself was it. He gave his heart to this community. He did so much for everybody.
“I’ve known him since I was a little kid. He always was the sweetest man. So thank you so much for sharing him with the community. I know it was a sacrifice on your part, too,” Ochoa concluded. “In addition to David Chavana, the Chavana family in general is Puro Edinburg. We love you guys and all the contributions that you all have given.”
Díaz praised Graciela Chavana for her many key roles in the successes of her late husband.
“Besides every great man there is a great woman. Thank you for always supporting him,” said the Place 1 City Councilmember, who then recounted how he first came to know her husband.
“I met him during elections and we would talk about the (10K) race. It wasn’t until I ran that I called him and asked him for support, and he said he had to go through his wife,” Díaz said. “I didn’t know who his wife was, but I have known Gracie probably 30 years. She has been taking care of very sick babies for the last 30 or 40 years at McAllen Medical Center, the NICO.”
In a hospital setting, NICO stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a specialized, 24/7 care nursery for newborn babies who are premature, have a low birth weight, or have serious medical conditions that require specialized treatment and close monitoring.
Díaz and Graciela Chavana’s paths have been crossing since he is a licensed paramedic in Texas for more than 25 years and has been the business owner of MTS Emergency Medical Services for more than 20 years, among his extensive credentials in the medical and public health professions.
“I’ve known her for so long that I never put it together. So when he told me, I said, ‘I think I might have your support, David,’” Díaz told her. “Thank you for everything that you have done. I’m so glad that this city has honored a man like him. Thank you Gracie for all your support.”
Over the course of his involvement with Edinburg’s 10K race, Chavana has been featured in dozens of print and broadcast stories at the local, state and national levels.
In one of those print and television reports, ValleyCentral.com ran a story, dated Monday, January 30, 2023 by Sydney Hernández, titled “All-America City 10K race named after Edinburg native, draws in thousands”, where he laid out his inspiring and ambitious vision for the annual competition.
“It’s a big time race for a small town. We don’t ever want to lose why we started, and we do it for the kids,” Chavana said. “One day maybe we’ll get an Olympian from here, and I always tell people, it’s something that should go on forever. If the Boston Marathon can go on for 123 years, we can do it too.”
The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897 and run every Patriot’s Day (third Monday of April) in Massachusetts. It is one of the seven prestigious World Marathon Majors, covering a 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Copley Square, Boston. Known for its challenging, hilly route, including “Heartbreak Hill,” it attracts more than 30,000 participants who must meet specific qualifying standards.
In addition to the Texas House of Representatives Memorial Resolution, the Mayor and Edinburg City Counncilmembers also approved and presented its own proclamation to his family.
The proclamation, titled “Coach David Chavana†”, follows:
WHEREAS, on September 23, 1952, Coach David Chavana† was born in Edinburg to Jesús and Lydia Chavana. Coach Chavana† lived in Edinburg his entire life. In high school he played baseball and graduated from Edinburg High School Class of 1971; and,
WHEREAS, Coach Chavana† married Gracie Chavana and had two sons; Vito Chavana and Noah Chavana; and one grandson; Trey Chavana. At the age of 24, David began running as a way to improve his health and lose weight, he ran several marathons in New York, Houston, Austin and San Antonio and began questioning why races of this caliber were not being held in Edinburg; and,
WHEREAS, in 1982, Coach Chavana† began working with the Edinburg Parks and Recreation Department in Edinburg, he decided he wanted to begin a race in his hometown. In the fall of that year, Coach Chavana† along with Frank Garza, the former parks and recreation director, and local attorney Mick Sawyer began the development of the 6.2-mile race, the first All-America City 10K race was run in February 1983 with 253 participants; and,
WHEREAS, that same year, Coach Chavana† became an educator in the Edinburg school district. As the years continued, he learned to sway back and forth from being a full-time educator to also being race director; and,
WHEREAS, in April of 1998, Coach David Chavana† was appointed to the All-America-10K Advisory Board, his unwavering service led to his appointment as a tenured member on April 5, 2022; and,
WHEREAS, in 2002, a fun run was created for younger children because Coach Chavana† and members of the planning committee noticed that the children couldn’t keep up with the adults. Chavana said the Edinburg 10K was all about family and the Miracle Mile was added to the race is for those with special needs, wheelchairs or walkers; and;
WHEREAS, in 2012, he decided to retire as race director to focus on family but stated the Edinburg 10K will always be part of me, was the heart of that event, always there at the finish line to congratulate runners and encourage the next generation; and,
WHEREAS, on November 8, 2018, in honor of Coach Chavana†’s dedication the Edinburg City Council approved a Resolution renaming the Edinburg All-America City 10K to the Edinburg All-America City David Chavana 10k Run/Walk; and,
WHEREAS, on December 27, 2025, Coach David Chavana† passed away at the age of 73. The community mourns the loss of an icon a true legend; and,
WHEREAS, beyond the race, as a dedicated educator at Edinburg North High School, “Forever a Cougar” he made a lasting impact on so many. An icon whose life and leadership touched generations of students, staff, and community members, his legacy of health, service, and community spirit will continue to inspire us.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, OMAR OCHOA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EDINBURG, TX: By the power vested in me by law, do hereby recognize:
COACH DAVID CHAVANA†
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Edinburg, Texas, a Municipal Corporation, to be affixed on this the 3rd day of February, 2026.
CITY OF EDINBURG, TEXAS
By: ____________________
ATTEST: Omar Ochoa
The story, “All-America City 10K race named after Edinburg native, draws in thousands”, is available online at:
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