Efren Chacon

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Efren “Effy” Chacon (1979-2019). Efren was born in Michoacan, Mexico on July 1 and came to the United States as a teenager, settling in Yakima, Washington. He went to college in Seattle, where he first started work in healthcare. He moved to Los Angeles in 2010, and eventually began work at the Men’s Health Foundation. Under the mentorship of Dr. Anthony Mills, Efren became a passionate and well-respected community leader in men’s health and wellness, and he tirelessly worked to spread life-saving awareness about HIV prevention. After work hours, Efren continued to dedicate himself to promoting HIV prevention education wherever he could reach his community, including festivals, nightclubs, gyms, and at a pioneering and popular men’s health support group that he created and facilitated. Part of the reason Efren was so successful at what he did was that wherever he went he lit up the room, and when Efren talked people listened. He was dashingly handsome, well-spoken in both English and Spanish, and he made himself available to anyone who needed help. He received many awards for his work and was recently invited by the Centers for Disease Control to talk about the innovative support group he developed. On a personal level, Efren was loved by so many people. He had an amazing smile and he lived to help others as much as he possibly could. Efren was known for his passion for fitness, his amazing sense of style, and his love of J.Lo. Above all he was known by all as a gentle soul with a big heart. Above it all he always made sure his family was taken care of, and his Mother was the motor to his life. Efren is survived by his family: Maria Guadalupe Valencia De Chacon, Efren Chacon, Norma Chacon, Minerva Chacon, Jose Chacon, Eri Chacon, Lili Chacon, Yuri Chacon, Dan Raz, Leo Raz, Ari Raz, Evan Raz, and Niko Antonyan; and many friends. Viewing will be held Saturday December 28th from 12-8pm at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima (2600 Business Ln. Yakima WA., 98901). A Vigil service will be held Sunday December 29th starting at 4pm and Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday December 30th at 11am, both at Holy Redeemer Church in Yakima (1707 3rd Ave. Yakima WA 98902). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Efren Chacon, please visit our flower store.