Efren Valencia Guizar

Efren Valencia Guizar was born in Tampico Tamaulipas Mexico on June 18, 1925 to Jesus Guizar and Trinidad Valencia Guizar. Efren lived in Kansas City Missouri and Chicago Illinois until the age of 7 when the family returned to Teocuitatlan de Corona Jalisco Mexico. Efren attended military school in Mexico and briefly served in the Mexican army. He married Rosario Bejarano in 1948. Efren and his family emigrated to the United States in 1952, where they lived in the Los Angeles area. Efren worked many jobs during this time, sometimes working several jobs and attending night school to continue his education. In 1957 he received a junior high school diploma. Efren’s pursuit for higher education continued until becoming a high school graduate and a member of the class of 1996 at the age of 71. In 1960 Efren become a Unites States citizen and was a proud American. Efren retired in 1993 but continued to pursue his passion for serving his community through volunteer work until his death. In 2006 Efren was honored by “Project Hope” for his volunteer work. In 2007 he was the recipient of the Jack Crippen Volunteer Award. On May 23, 2012 Efren received an award and was honored at the 47th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day Award Program acknowledging his volunteer efforts and service to the City of El Monte. His passing will surely leave a void in his community. He is preceded in death by his wife Rosario Guizar, father Jesus Guizar, mother Trinidad Guizar, brother Rafael Guizar, sister Ophelia Hernandez, and brother in-law Pete Hernandez. Efren is survived by four sons and one daughter Caesar, Blanca, Victor, Gil and Ed, daughters in-law Lee, Sylvia and Tammy, brother Abdon Guizar, sister Elpidia Guizar, nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Efren will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the community he proudly served for many years.