Gerald Vigil

Gerald J. Vigil, 68, went to spend eternal life with his heavenly Father on August 25, 2023, after suffering lengthily illnesses. Gerald was the fifth child and third son of nine children born to Corpertino and Guadalupita Vigil on June 19, 1955.  He was raised and lived most of his life in Chimayo, NM­­.

Gerald was aka “Buffalo,” “Gato”, “Chapulin” and “Nero Nero”.  He was a wonderful athlete; he participated in sports during his school years and excelled at basketball and cross-country track. He received many trophies and recognitions for his outstanding athletic abilities.  Gerald attended Chimayo Elementary, JFK Junior High School, and Santa Cruz High School. He was not only successful in sports he was also a great scholar and made the honor roll several years. After receiving his Santa Cruz High School Diploma in 1974 Gerald worked in Grants, New Mexico mines and for the State of New Mexico for the Taxation and Revenue Department as a mail clerk.  He later worked as a laborer for Johnston Control at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, until he retired in 2010. 

Gerald met his love of his life Batrice Taylor while employed at LANL.  They married on January 16, 1982.  This union blessed them with two sons, Antonio and Pablo.   Gerald loved his family dearly, including his favorite pets, Pancho Villa and Charli Girl, and spent many exciting outings and events with them.  He enjoyed and doted over his granddaughter Tatyana every chance he got. Gerald had a strong relationship with God.  He lead his family in becoming active members of the Holy Family Catholic Church.  They participated in the following ministries:  Lectors, Altar Servers, St. Vincent de Paul, Catechism Instructors.  Gerald also would visit and minister to the incarcerated the Word of the Lord.  Often Gerald with his wife Batrice welcomed and raised in their home several children over the years. Jesse Moya, Jacob Martinez, Zacarias Martinez Jr., Hector Martinez, and Crystal Angelica Martinez were blessed with the same love and support they provided their own sons.

One of his biggest joys was working with tree roots that were washed up by the river. He would carve decorative walking canes. Gerald was also coach to his son’s Pablo’s EVCA basketball team, the Bulls. He enjoyed spending time with his younger brothers, sitting in his grandma Sabina’s front yard watching traffic on HWY76 with Corpy and Mark, visiting relatives, especially their Tia Bennie Gonzales of Dixon, spending time camping in the mountains and cruising beautiful Northern New Mexico. The brothers spent so much time together they were dubbed “The Three Musketeers.” 

There has never been a negative comment made in reference to Gerald. All positive adjectives in the dictionary have been used at one time or another to describe him.  Gerald kept in shape by walking a lot.  Most people remember the last time they saw or spent time with him.  It was usually picking him up and providing a ride to wherever he was headed on foot.  It was quality time for both parties. He was loved by all and will be terribly missed.

Gerald is preceded in death by his two precious sons, Antonio and Pablo, parents Corpertino and Guadalupe Vigil, stepmother Floraida Vigil, who raised Gerald since he was a young teenager and whom he loved deeply.  Grandparents Fabian and Sabina Vigil, Francisco and Eufemia Pacheco.  Uncles Tiburcio and Estanislado “Tiny” Vigil. Brothers Nelson, Wally, Corpentino “Corpy”, Mark, and Stepbrother Charlie Martinez. Nephews Terrance Vigil, and Jacob Sanchez.  Father-in-law Lennis E. Taylor. Brother-in-law Jerry W. Taylor, Uncle-in-law Tony Lujan, Grandmother-in-laws Ernestina Olivas and Flossie Mae Taylor.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 41 years, Batrice,  granddaughter Tatyana Vigil, sisters Vivian Koteen (Ralph), Sheila Salazar, Eufemia Cordova, Lupita Sanchez (Leonard), stepbrother Lee Roy Martinez (Marie), stepsisters Isabel Archuleta (Donald) Lucille Baca (Joe), mother-in-law Mary Taylor, aunt-in-law Rose Lujan, cousin-in-law Bernie Quintana (Rick) sisters-in-Laws Gloria Martinez, Norma and Antoinette Vigil, brother-in-law Adrian Taylor, only surviving aunt Bennie Gonzales, cousins-sisters Vera Vigil and  Joyce Pacheco, Goddaughter Crystal Angelina Martinez and constant “partner in crime” friend,  Gilbert Vigil. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, too many to include.

A Public Viewing will take place on Friday, September 8, 2023, at 6:00 pm at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM, with a Rosary to follow at 7:pm.  Mass will be held at the Holy Family Church in Chimayo, NM on Thursday, September 14, at 2:00pm.

Serving as pallbearers are Jason Koteen, Joey Martinez, Adrian Taylor, Gilbert Vigil, Jesse Moya, and Jacob “Scooby” Martinez.  

Honorary pallbearers are all nephews and nieces.

The family of Gerald J. Vigil has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com.