CAPULIN — Heaven welcomed a loving soul Mr. Pedro (Pete) Maria Vigil Sr. June 15, 2020.

  Pete joined our heavenly father 30 days shy of celebrating his 101st birthday. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. He most recently resided in the Carmel area.
  He was born July 14, 1919, in Capulin, Colorado to Venancio & Raquel Vigil. Pete was the 3rd eldest of their 8 children. He loved spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, gambling, watching the news and the Broncos.

  He also enjoyed going out to eat, a chili burger and a slice of pie was a favorite staple.

  We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Grandpa, from how to push a vehicle using just tires in between vehicles to making homemade gravy. Grandpa was a very loved and honored man, we thank God for giving all of us so many joyous years with him. Pedro (Pete) was born and raised on the Capulin family farm. Helping his dad with operating 280 acres of hay, grain and peas.
  Pete was drafted into the Army on April 18th, 1942. Pedro served in combat areas for 3 years, learning to speak multiple languages while experiencing France, Italy, Africa and Germany during his service.

  He was an anti-aircraft artillery automatic weapons crewman in World War II and also served as a vertical pointer and gunner where he maintained guns and kept supplies available for the 473rd Infantry Regiment.

  Pedro was discharged from the United States Army on June 30, 1945, with many honors and medals which included; an Excellent Marksmanship Medal,  a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and an Honorable Service Lapel Button.

  Pedro was also recognized in the community for being an outstanding individual and fighting for our country. He was re-pinned medals by Senator Michael Bennet in May of 2016 that had been stolen many years prior. He was honored by the Alamosa Kiwanis club 2017 at a  veterans appreciation luncheon and was recognized as the Grand Marshall in the Glory Days Parade in La Jara. Pedro was also recognized with his son Pete Jr. the Centennial Farm Award in August of 2018.  In July 2019, Pedro celebrated his 100th birthday with his family & the American Legion who awarded him a certificate of appreciation for his service. Pedro was also represented in the Veteran Parade in Alamosa in November of 2019.

  After the war, he returned home to Capulin to be unity with the love of his life Mary Gallegos whom he married on February 11th, 1946. From that unity, they had 4 children.

  He became a widower when his wife died at the age of 44 with double pneumonia. Leaving him to raise his 4 children. Ages 16, 15, 14 and 13.

  In 1967 His son Pete Jr. married Christina Gallegos who blessed Pedro with 3 grandchildren from their unity. From those grandchildren, he now has 7 great-grandchildren & 1 great-great-grandchild.

  He is survived by his children Pete (Virginia Espinoza), Helen, Gilbert, and Veronica. His Grandchildren: Melanie (Gerald Garcia) and Amanda Vigil.

  Great-Grandchildren: Mariah Vigil, Michael Martinez, Joshua Sisneros, Gabriel & Kaitlyn Garcia, Monique Salazar and Elisandro Trujillo

  And Great-Great grandchild: Xayden Sisneros

  He is preceded in death by his parents Venancio and Raquel Vigil, his wife Mary Vigil, all of his siblings: Alfonso, Veronice, Rudy, Elude, Albert, Max and Ben and his grandson Michael Vigil. Cremation was chosen.

A memorial service will be concluded at a later date.