Obituaries : * Joseph David Nava; Organized AIDS Benefits

Joseph David Nava of Oxnard, who helped raise thousands of dollars for a Ventura home for those with HIV and AIDS, has died. He was 41.

Nava was a co-founder of the Imperial Court of Ventura County, which raised money for AIDS Care and for the Christopher House in Ventura.

“He usually did all the organizing. He did a fabulous job,” said Craig Webb, a former chairman of the Christopher House Board of Directors. Nava ran three or four fund-raising events a year for several years, Webb said.

“He was probably the most kindhearted and loving person that anybody could meet,” said his companion, Chuck Mecham. “He was very strong and active up until the day that he died.”

Born in Oxnard, Nava graduated from Channel Islands High School and enlisted in the Army, where he served with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii from 1974 to 1977.

He worked as a hairstylist in Hayward, Calif., in the late 1980s and returned to Ventura County after becoming ill, Mecham said.

In addition to Mecham of Oxnard, he is survived by his parents, Joe and Socorro Nava, also of Oxnard; three bothers, Louie V. Nava of Ventura, and David Nava and Hector Nava Sr., both of Oxnard, and a sister, Teresa Rodriguez of Port Hueneme.

A funeral service will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Santa Clara Chapel in El Rio. James A. Reardon Mortuary of Oxnard is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christopher House.