Robert McKinley Cheves

Robert McKinley Cheves, 67, of High Rock Lake Lexington, NC and Merida Mexico, passed away February 12, 2024 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  Robert was born to Jesse and Kathelene (Jay & Kat) Cheves on June 30, 1956 and grew up in Jamestown, NC, graduating from Ragsdale High School in 1974.   He immediately took a summer job in a hot warehouse without windows, and that misery was what led him to the understanding that he would find something he loved and excel in it.

 He graduated in 1977 with honors from Cape Fear Technical Institute in Wilmington, NC with a degree in Marine Construction.  Soon after, he left for his first plane ride to begin work on a 9 mile pier into the Persian Gulf in Saudi Arabia.  The company wanted someone they could train themselves in Engineering and that was the beginning of a career that ended up being the perfect match.

Robert was not only a tireless worker, but a visionary leader who made invaluable contributions to the professional landscape, notably as the Vice President of Caldive for Latin America and as a consultant for the esteemed Mexican company, Arendal.  His dedication and commitment were not only evident in the boardroom, but also in the lasting impact he left on the lives of colleagues and associates.  His professional life took him all over the world.  

He never boasted of these accomplishments, but he did boast of his family. The gift of 2 sons, Jake and Luke Cheves, brought him immense joy.

In 2011, Robert married Flor on the beautiful beach at Ambergris Caye in Belize.  There to join the celebration were his boys and new step-daughter, Gaby Payeras, sister Laura and Bobby Craven, and friends, Chris and Donna Bullins.

They blended their beautiful families and became a close unit. He was so in love with Flor and would speak of how she took such loving care of him and the family and she had the same sentiments to say of him.  

He was so proud of his sons and stepdaughter as they grew and are navigating lives and careers of their own, and still share a close and caring relationship together.

He and Flor enjoyed making a home in Merida, Yucatan traveling throughout Mexico, the US and Belize. His house at High Rock was truly his home and he took pride in making the homeplace beautiful.  Robert was generous and loved to entertain friends and family.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Jay and Kat Cheves and brother-in-law Bobby Craven.

His spirit will be carried on by a family so thankful to have enjoyed his love, wit and wisdom are wife Flor Cheves, sons Jake Cheves of San Diego, CA  and Luke Cheves of Santa Monica, CA and stepdaughter Gaby Payeras of Merida Mexico,  siblings Donna (Mike) McLauchlin of Greensboro, NC, Ron (Julie) Cheves of Murrells Inlet, SC, Laura Craven of Colfax, NC and Lisa (Kenny) Rumph of Charlotte, NC.  His beloved mother-in-law, Lidia Ocana and brothers and sisters in law, Dulce, Rosalba, Elvira, Marcos and Miguel (Carbajal). Also a boat load of nieces and nephews and their children, and cousins galore.

Memorials can be made payable to the American Cancer Society and mailed to Attn: Relay For Life of the Triad-UC7Y3Q  PO Box 11796 Charlotte, NC  28220.