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Saguache – Longtime Monte Vista resident Gerald “Big G” Michael Vigil, 57, passed away on June 12, 2016 in a tragic motorcycle accident near Saguache, Colorado. He was born on February 28, 1959 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Santiago Vigil Jr. and Mary Lourdes Martinez Vigil. His family moved to La Garita, Colorado when he was one and he graduated from Center High School in 1977. Following his graduation, he moved to Colorado Springs, where he attended El Paso Community College to study broadcasting. He received his disc jockey license and moved back to Monte Vista and began working at KSLV Radio Station. He married Juanita Vigil in 1979. In 1982 he began working for the Monte Vista Co-op as the marketing director. Gerald and Juanita welcomed their first daughter Erin in 1985. In 1986 Gerald returned to his passion of radio as the General Manager of KSLV Radio. The Vigils welcomed their second daughter Rebekah in 1987 and their son Timothy in 1988.

Gerald loved working at the radio station, being creative and making people laugh in the morning. He was very involved in the community as a member and of the Kiwanis for 20+ years, serving as President from 1993 to 1994, a member and served as President of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1991; He served on the Monte Vista School Board and was a member of the Colorado Broadcasters Association, serving as President from 1997 to 1998. Gerald was awarded the Lusche Fellow Award in 2002 and the Man of the Year Award in 1995. He was active in church serving as a youth group Pastor at Grace Baptist Church and as a worship leader playing the guitar at Calvary Baptist Church. Gerald loved spending time playing the guitar, entertaining family and friends with his new recipes, riding his motorcycle around Colorado, traveling and above all, spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his three children; Erin (Michael) Burton of Loveland, Rebekah (Justin) Altizer of Las Vegas, Nevada, Timothy (Michele) Vigil, his grandchildren, Landon and Leighton Burton and one granddaughter on the way, his parents, Santiago and Lourdes Vigil of Monte Vista, sister Barbara (Briant) Vigil of Colorado Springs and brother, Nicholas Vigil of Denver, the mother of his children, Juanita Vigil and loved one, Jeanette Jaramillo as well as numerous nieces nephews and extended family.

Cremation was selected and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday June 18, 2016 at the Monte Vista High school Gymnasium. Interment of ashes will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the San Luis Valley Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the Gerald Vigil Scholarship Fund, set up at San Luis Valley Federal Bank. Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements. Please visit www.rogersfunerals.com to express condolences to the family.

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