Raymond Vigil

Raymond Vigil, age 80, died on March 24, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado. Raymond was born on August 17, 1943, in Walsenburg, Colorado to Silvano Vigil and Josephine Montoya Vigil. His family ultimately moved to Pueblo where Raymond graduated from Pueblo East High School in 1962. While at East, Raymond was an amazing multisport athlete. He was so great at his craft (his best sport being wrestling) that he was courted by a number of colleges and was eventually inducted into the Pueblo East High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Raymond decided that instead of college, he wanted to serve his country. Soon after his high school graduation, Raymond traveled to San Diego where he completed his Marine Corps boot camp. He eventually decided to change branches and moved to the United States Army. While home on leave in 1965, Raymond wooed a beautiful Elizabeth Chavez and convinced her to marry him…28 days after they met. Not long after he married, Raymond was sent to Ethiopia to be an imperial guard for His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie. In Ethiopia, Raymond’s first child, also named Raymond, was born in 1967. In 1970, Raymond was sent to Vietnam to serve in the Army Security Agency. It has been said that the Army Security Agency has saved more American lives than any other military unit.  

Upon returning home from Vietnam, Raymond continued his service until he was honorably discharged in 1973. Raymond changed career paths and eventually became a master carpenter where he was a proud member of the Carpenters Local Union 515 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Soon after, Raymond’s daughter, Faith, was born in 1976.  

Raymond built a wonderful life with his wife Elizabeth in Colorado Springs where he hosted many barbecues and Broncos parties until he moved to Centennial, Colorado in 2012 to be closer to his children and grandchildren.  

Raymond is an absolute legend in the eyes of everyone who met him. Many of the stories about him seem unbelievable…from carrying a refrigerator down a flight of stairs by himself, barfights where pinky fingers went missing, winning the heart of his wife, his incredible dance skills, booming voice, undying love for the Denver Broncos, unconditional support for his kids and grandkids, and the sacrifices he made to serve his country. Raymond was one of a kind and his legacy of football loving, truck driving, smack talking, ass kicking, hardworking, guitar playing, beer drinking, awesomeness will continue to live on with his family he left behind.  

Raymond is survived by his wife of 58 years Elizabeth, their two children, Raymond (Gwen) and Faith, their five grandchildren, Tara, Sophie, Caleb, Will, and Mila, his sister, Margret, sisters and brothers in law, and countless nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Silvano and Josephine, and his brothers Tom, Robert, Pete, and Frailen.  

Raymond’s life will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Aurora, Colorado on April 10, 2024 at 10:30 am. Those wishing to honor his life are welcome to come to his service or make a donation in his name to the Disabled American Veterans or Quilts of Valor.