Aaron Vigil

May 10, my dad, Aaron Vigil, passed away from complications due to cardiac arrest. I am so grateful that he didn't have to linger long and suffer. Sometimes people die suddenly and no one has the opportunity to tell them goodbye. My son, Jeremiah, my wife, Debbie and I were able to speak to him on the telephone and tell him we love him. His reply back was that he loved us, too. His voice had contentment and peace as he expressed his love to us.

He saw a lot during his lifetime: he proudly served the United States in the armed forces during the Korean War, retuned and raised his own family in Pueblo, Colorado. Dad owned a small grocery store in Pueblo that served the small community with fresh meat and produce. Changes in his life allowed him to relocate to Denver where he began working as a butcher / meat-cutter at King Soopers.

Dad lived in and around Denver up until his retirement from King Soopers. Afterwards, he moved to Littleton where he enjoyed tending his flower garden.

Aaron's love for God did not waver. When we visited him we always found an open Bible and hymnals opened to his favorite songs laying out on his table. He attended church services at Landmark Tabernacle in Denver, Colorado. He enjoyed hearing Pastor Billy Hale preach.

Aaron was an avid horseman and cattle rancher. His pride came from working with his hands. His weathered, calloused hands always found work that needed to be finished.

He was happiest when left to his own devices—whether being a rancher and fixing a well, mending fences, or raising cattle. He'd be at the Vigil ranch for days on end; mostly for some much-needed relief and relaxation from living in the city.

Dad gave me advice on ranch life from fence mending, horsemanship, teaching me to lasso and brand calves to other important areas of ranch life.

Dad was a straightforward man who demanded little from those around him. His quiet and shy demeanor allowed him to observe and enjoy being around people. To me, Dad's finest quality was his patience. He had an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom.

Duty, decency, reliability, honour, dignity, respect; these are all qualities that my father not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day during his time on this earth.

Aaron was a serious and disciplined man, but he enjoyed the opportunity to have a laugh with friends and loved ones.

He heard regularly from me and Deb and saw his grandchildren whenever possible; he was content in his solitude. And although in his final years, we all moved on to different parts of the country, our bond was never broken.

My brother, Mark preceded him in death 36 years ago. Dad never recovered from the loss of my brother. We talked about Mark often and Dad always broke down from heavy sorrow.

His best friends and sisters, Delores Brooklyn and Rachel Vigil were constant companions to him. They shared life events, loved to cook delicious food together and worked tirelessly at the ranch. He last spoke to Rachel the day he passed and assured her that he was alright.

His Father and mother, Raymond and Marie Pablita Vigil preceded him in death as well as two siblings, Betty Felts and Danny Vigil. He is survived by his son, Michael and Debra Vigil, grandson, Jeremiah and Jessica Vigil and two great grandchildren, Madison and Mason Vigil.
Surviving siblings are: Obed and Susan Vigil, Rachael Vigil, Becky Triblehorn, Jessie and Millie Vigil, Joe and Cruz Vigil, Dolores and Bob Brooklyn and Solomon Vigil. He had numerous nephews and nieces and a great number of friends.

Dad lived a long and contented life, and only succumbed to ill health right at the end. We will miss him very much. His grandchildren, Jeremiah and Jessica and his great-grandchildren, Madison and Mason will miss him dearly.

It is so sad for so many reasons.
We want to thank all of you for offering prayers and comfort, phone calls and texts.

Sincerely,
Mike, Debbie, Jeremiah, Jessica and Madison & Mason

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