Jenaro "Jerry" Vigil

Jenaro (Jerry) Sabino Vigil was born October 8th, 1928 in Sand Arroyo, Colorado to Raymundo Vigil and Teresina (Cruz) Vigil. Jerry grew up as the 3rd of 12 siblings on his family’s ranch where he learned how to be a cowboy from an early age. Some of his fondest memories involved the time he spent as a young boy herding sheep in the mountains surrounding his family’s homestead and running cattle throughout what is now known as the Navajo Ranch Resort. Jerry attended school, up until the 8th grade, in a one-room school house, which still stands on his family’s property. Jerry went on to graduate from Huerfano County High School in 1947.

Following high school, Jerry proudly enlisted in the United States Army on March 1st, 1951. He spent the majority of his career as a E5 Sgt. 1st Class Firearms Instructor in Fort Benning, Georgia. While at Fort Benning he trained many soldiers in marksmanship who went on to serve our country overseas during campaigns in Korean and Vietnam. Jerry received many honors for his service in this capacity to include: Expert M1 Rifle Award and a Letter of Commendation for Performance of Duty. On February 28th, 1953, Jerry departed Fort Benning as he was honorably discharged from active military service. He was transferred to Fort Carson where he served an additional five years in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged from this duty in 1958.

Upon returning home from his time of service to our country, Jerry married his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann (Gomez) Vigil on New Year’s Eve of 1960. Jerry went on to work in numerous careers including construction, law enforcement, and eventually retired from his civilian position in military security with Fort Carson at the Pinon Canon training site in 1996. During this time, Jerry was also a rancher, continuing to run cattle on his property and surrounding areas in Huerfano County.

In retirement, Jerry continued his work in the area of his greatest passion, ranching. Together with his wife, children and their families, Jerry spent a majority of his time out on the land on which he grew up. Together he and his family worked on a variety of projects as he taught his grandchildren to love and respect this land and the way of life in the same way that he was taught.

Jerry is predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann, parents, Raymundo and Teresina, sisters; Carolina Martinez, Ninfa Ortega, Maria Alcaria Elviria Vigil, brothers; Jose Raymond, Rojerio (Roger), Santiago (Jim), Emanual (Manual), and John Edward. He is survived by his children; Eric, Jerriann, Sylvia (Randy), Darrell (Mona), and Clyde (Pat), his 14 grandchildren; Erica, Jessica, Veronica, Mariah, Lane, Andrew, Keith, Jennie, Neil, Brian, Derek, Dominick, Elizabeth, Tyler, and many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. Jerry is also survived by his three sisters; Maria Bernice Garcia, Ida Mae Martin, Dorothy Lavern Vallejos, and brother Jose Raymond (Mon) Vigil.

Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and so much more. He will be missed dearly, and will live on in our hearts and memories forever. A Funeral Mass will be held, 10 a.m., Saturday, September 3rd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 111 E. 7th Street, Walsenburg, Colorado. A graveside service and internment will follow at the Sand Arroyo Cemetery, CR 510 with a memorial reception to follow at the Eagles Hall in Walsenburg.