Frank Joseph Erpelding-Chacon III

Frank Joseph Erpelding-Chacon III was born on February 24, 1950, in Los Angeles, California and after years of battling several illnesses, passed away on September 28, 2026, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Frank grew up in the Los Angeles area and upon graduation from high school, Frank served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. In 1971 Frank was honorably discharged with a service-related disability. Frank pursued higher education in audio visual, photography, and print media at Bellevue Community College. At college Frank met his future wife, Mary. After eight years of dating, they were married in 1986. After two years of marriage, they had their only son Xavier. Frank and Mary built their family home together in Kirkland, Washington. In 1993, the family moved to Phoenix, where Frank was a foreman for a developer building custom homes. After several years, the family made their final move to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Frank’s love of Southwestern history prompted traveling with his family to various National Historical Parks and Monuments. Where Mary enjoyed collecting National Park Passport stamps, and Xavier loved becoming a Junior Park Ranger.

In Santa Fe, Frank joined the Spanish Market and became known as an artist whose work centered on Spanish Colonial Art. Frank won multiple awards and several of his woodworking pieces are now in museums. Frank’s other fields of art included leatherwork, jewelry, tin, and colcha. Frank was an Artist!

For over 25 years Frank visited the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital in Albuquerque. Where he became involved in the Annual Veterans Creative Art Festival. Frank’s work earned him two gold ribbons in national competitions which reflected his artistic skill. When diabetes prevented Frank from creating art, he became interested in collecting Woody Woodpecker, comic books and classic cars and at one time had over six cars. Frank remains as an honorary member of the Santa Fe Vintage Car Club.

In 2013, Frank welcomed his beloved service dog, Sally, into the family. Frank and Sally were inseparable and had many great adventures together. Sally remained by his side until her passing in 2023. Frank’s charitable heart extended to Paws and Stripes, Espanola Humane, World Wildlife Fund, and many others.

Sadly, his last few years were marred with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. His caregivers called him their “bright angel”.

Frank’s life was shaped by the things he loved to do with the people closest to him. Frank will be remembered for his military service, his artistry, his love for animals, and the care he gave to his family.

Frank is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Erpelding-Chacon, and by their son Xavier Chacon. Frank is survived by his brother, Lawrence Chacon. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Chacon; and his mother, Jacqueline Erpelding. From a prior marriage, Frank is survived by his son Frank Chacon Jr.; and preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Chacon.

A memorial service will be held on November 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Rivera Family Funeral & Cremations of Santa Fe, 417 East Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505. An inurnment will take place on February 24, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. A livestream of the memorial service will be available at https://www.viewlogies.net/rivera/zixlnSonq?pin=900828