Remembering the life of Chris Pelfrey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Chris Pelfrey. He tragically lost his life in a head-on collision on State Route 238 near Gila Bend and Maricopa a couple of weeks ago.
Chris impacted so many at his high school and he was a shining star both on the field and in the classroom.
His role on the student council was the reason why he touched the lives of everyone, even going the extra mile to help fellow students out.
Donald Pelfrey is Chris's father.
"He always helped everybody. He was always quick to shake a hand met somebody new, or somebody new showing up at the school he was the first one there too, to welcome him to the school," the dad said.
Outside of school, Pelfrey loved hunting with his family and entertaining everyone around him.
“Some of my favorite memories would be climbing up, he would always climb up the mountain, get to the highest point he could use a spotting scope to veer to try to get me and his brother in on the deer, never worked but he always tried,” he added.
“He was very unique and that he got along with everybody. Everybody was his friend, he wasn't afraid to go up to any group on campus or at the tables in the lunchroom wherever, and just talk to them, and he was just like at home,” said Jeff Peters, Chris's English teacher and student council director.
Pelfrey’s friends came out from different parts of the state to be here today.
Inside of the school’s cafeteria… his legacy laid out in front of everyone to show just how much he’s accomplished over the years… it will never be forgotten.
Mark Rivera played football and spent a lot of time with Chris.
“During football, it's a home game, you know, we got the home crowd cheering us on. He caught the ball about midfield, he ran 50 plus yards, and he got taken down at the one-yard line. It was so funny. He was so mad, but it was just one of those moments that we'll never forget,” Rivera laughed.
“Do just like my son would do if you saw someone shake their hand, tell them hello greet them with a smile. If you saw somebody down, help them up. He was always quick to help everybody give a shirt off his back to anyone,” Pelfrey explains.
Three other people were injured in the accident and still recovering.
