Efford, Steven "Vance"
Steven "Vance" Efford, was surrounded by his family as he peacefully slipped away on September 17, 2016.
Vance was born August 18, 1958 to E. Ries Efford and Mary Ann Toston-Efford in Denver, Colorado. He was 58 years young.
He loved all the ups and downs of his life. Each experience brought new friends and new things to learn about. He was an Internet research phenomenon!
Vance was a 1976 graduate of Valley High school and studied Engineering and Electronics at Bell & Howell technical school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a young man, he and his best friend were mentored in the electrical business together, sparking a fire that remained with Vance throughout his life.
He had his own start-up company, Enertech Automated Control Systems, for several years until he sold it to General Electric. That transaction included securing a position with GE in the Automation Services and Control Division, and later working his way around in the corporation to his position of Business Development Manager. He spent 15 years with GE, where he had the opportunity to make friends around the world.
Vance had a passion for fitness and music. He has requested his services be a celebration of his life, then left a music list that he reviewed and said "I don’t want my service to be a rock concert, but, I want all music played or sung to be positive and hopeful." He still wanted the other more "rocky" music played "before or after" his service as we celebrate his love for life. In December 1983, Vance married Lorna De La Paz. During the time of their marriage they were blessed with two beautiful children, Sean and Lauren. Sean left a hole in all of our hearts, but especially his dad’s, when he passed at the age of 19.
Vance was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, parents and aunt.
He is survived by his beautiful daughter Lauren, who he just recently realized had grown into a very beautiful, intelligent young woman, seemingly overnight; her mother Lorna; sister and brother-in-law, Jamie and Dean Ruppelt; sister and brother-in-law, Elayne and Shane Hubbell; sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Steve Richards; brother, Mark Efford; step-mother, Kathryn Efford-Floyd; along with his many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, all of whom he loved and cherished as if they were his own.
Vance will be remembered for his amazing strength, courage, fortitude, compassion, kindness, intelligence, and above all, his positive attitude, which he used to keep all of us strong, as he struggled with his illness.
His one wish for all was "You’ve got one life, make it the best and be happy, be satisfied".
A Celebration of Vance’s life will be held Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at FRENCH – Wyoming.
Please visit our online guestbook for Vance at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400