Davis Vigil

Davis Vigil, at 94, had accomplished what he set out to do in his lifetime. He was a dedicated husband, remarkable father and provider for his family, a devout Catholic, loyal to many friends, and committed to his profession. He passed away on October 11, 2024.

He was born in Avon, Colorado in 1930 to the late Patrocinio and Margarita Vigil, spent his youth residing in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he graduated from Las Vegas High in 1948. Reminiscing about the good old days, Davis would frequently reminisce about his high school buddies and the fun they had together. He would proudly mention his time on the track team as a varsity pole vaulter and distance runner, as well as their adventures at the drug store, old town, the bowling alley and Movie Theater. The social gatherings and dances were also cherished memories that Davis loved to share. The collection of stories, though extensive, couldn't match the heartfelt tales of his time with Dorothy (Scottie) Scott, the love of his life. In March 1950, he married Scottie, and over 74 years together were filled with joy and adventure. Leaving New Mexico and settling in Colorado they raised their family of three children; Barbara of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Janet of Thornton, Colorado and their son David who passed away in 2009. Scottie preceded Davis in death on September 14, 2024.

Davis had an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He greeted everyone with an open heart and perpetual smile, and he drew people in with his laughter, kindheartedness, devotion, quick wit, and knowledge. Davis enjoyed hosting parties, and he was the happiest when he was with close relatives and friends. He gathered them all around him to celebrate momentous occasions; the more, the merrier and the bigger, the better! Davis hosted parties frequently at their many homes, and they were typically all-day events. There were a ton of contagious gatherings. The parties were jam-packed with his infectious laughter, energy, competitive games, dancing, and always included great Mexican food prepared by “his” Scottie. Singing and guitar music always filled the nighttime air as the hours went by. Naturally, the vocalists should not be held responsible for the songs’ occasional off-key vocals; after all, beer had been consumed all day.

Davis always seemed to know people who knew people, or he was in the right place at the right time. He described his early employment as “by chance” or “simply by introductions." Halfway through his career, he started to concentrate on aerospace engineering. He expanded his engineering goals while working for esteemed firms like Dow Chemical and Martin Marietta, in October of 1966 Davis joined EG&G Rockwell International, Rocky Flats Plant and remained there until his retirement in 1992. Davis proudly co-authored two engineering articles published in 1976 and 1981. He was promoted to Senior Research Engineer while working for the Coatings Department in 1984. Davis was also a member of the American Vacuum Society as well. He was granted various certifications and accommodations in his field from the company and was respected by his colleagues. Ed Naimon, the man Davis would come to regard as one of his closest and most esteemed friends, was first introduced to him at Rocky Flats. He was close colleagues with Ed and they remained lifetime friends. Ed and his wife, Kathy, have always been considered part of Davis’s family.

Following their retirement, Davis and Scottie decided to return to Las Vegas, New Mexico, purchased and restored the George P. Money House, a historical Victorian house. During the Citizen’s Committee for Historic Preservation in December 1994, Davis and Scottie were presented with a President’s Award. The award was for their outstanding restoration of the George P. Money House on 8th street. Soon after they sold the property and returned to Colorado to live out their lives together.

The Catholic Church was home to Davis. As a devoted Catholic, he witnessed his three children receive the sacraments of the church. It was an honor for Davis to have walked both of his daughters down the aisle and danced at his son's wedding. Naturally, there was much celebration at each of the three weddings. At Denver, Colorado's Our Lady of Grace Church, Scottie and Davis reaffirmed their vows in honor of their 25th anniversary. Of course, it's party time with a reception dinner, live music, dancing all night, and an endless fountain of margaritas and draft beer! He was honored to see his twin grandsons baptized at this church. Years later, as a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Northglenn, Colorado, he celebrated his son-in-law, Jack, becoming a Catholic. Following this event his daughter, Jan, and son-in-law, Jack, taught RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes. Scottie enrolled in the classes, later received the sacraments and became a Catholic in 1986. In honor of their 50th anniversary, Davis and Scottie reaffirmed their vows once again. It was celebration time, as per tradition: delicious food, a little less spring in everyone’s step, CDs playing, and a shorter night overall, the crowd was much older! He taught his two grandsons catechism and they received the sacrament of communion. As altar boys at Sunday mass, he took great pride in them, and a few years later, they received confirmation. He cherished being witness to the baptism of two great granddaughters, and first communion of one great granddaughter. He proudly went to all six of his grandchildren’s weddings. As part of his family’s ongoing spiritual development, he attended the church ceremonies for the dedication of three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. He was most honored to be present at Barbara’s ordination as an Associate Pastor and Director of the Children’s Ministry. Until the pandemic he rarely missed mass and always carried a rosary in his pocket.

He was a self-taught guitarist who loved to play the guitar. When Davis’s family and friends got together, they would all go to the man cave in the basement and play for hours. The camaraderie was what mattered most to him, even though there were moments when there was more laughing than singing or off-key notes than on-key notes. He could go inward when he played the guitar, and it was undoubtedly a spiritual place. Davis with a guitar is a cherished memory.

In his heart, he was a romantic. On holidays and anniversaries, he always made sure he got Scottie something, usually a colorful bouquet of flowers and card. Davis used to listen to music about heartbreaking romances and the eyes of beautiful women. He used to spend hours in his music room listening to songs by Linda Ronstadt, whose 8X10 photo, given to him by Ed, was on display along with many of her albums, or by Doris Day, a blonde and stunning actress, to which he would also sing along to the song “What Will be, Will be”. Brenda Lee and Patsy Cline topped his female list as well. In a variety of genres, signers such as Cuco Sanchez, Freddy Fender, Galy Galiano, and many others topped his list. A movie he loved was The Milagro Beanfield War, which in his opinion, was a romantic drama with a worthy cause, and of course entertaining ghosts. One of the top action films on the list was Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. He frequently cited the sequence in which Kahn exclaimed, “There she is,” upon the appearance of the Starship Enterprise. “Beam me up Scottie”, as his grandson Adrian said, “now has a new meaning”.

He was a people person who was always willing to lend a hand to friends, neighbors, and family. He could construct or fix anything. His garage held every tool imaginable, plus extras in case he lent out a tool and never got it back. Replacements required trips to the flea market. He also had every tool needed back when cars could still be worked on in a home garage. Davis restored a 1967 Camaro and was a member of the Camaro car club. He enjoyed spending countless hours at car shows.

Davis enjoyed traveling with Scottie and the family to many cities in Mexico and traveled to England and Scotland, Hawaii, and went on cruises to Alaska and the Bahamas.

He was also an Assistant Boy Scout leader and loved the outdoors. Davis enjoyed a good fall Denver Broncos game as a season ticket holder. Could sit in front of the television for hours and watch a good boxing match. He was a very serious chess player. It was at Rocky Flats he became a very accomplished player at the games of pinochle and hearts; after all, that’s what lunch was for, and many hours after!

His family was the most important thing in his life, and he constantly emphasized this. Throughout his life, he carried the loss of his younger sister Dorotea with him and spoke of her frequently. In addition, three brother and their spouses; Ignacio Vigil (Mary Lynn), Johnny Vigil (Louise), and Santos Vigil (Marilyn), as well Davis’s son, David and wife Dorothy (Scottie) who passed away before him. In honor of his father, Patrocinio, Davis was a member of the BPO Elks, USA, Las Vegas, N.M. Lodge #408, 1997-1998. Davis mourned the passing of his beloved mother Margarita, whom he loved dearly, and in later years he would mourn the passing of her sister he called, Tia Fefa (Estefanita “Josie”). As time went on most of the friends he celebrated life with had passed, outlived them all, never forgetting their memories and good times.

Family left to cherish his memory are his two daughters and son in-laws; Barbara Vigil-Cambron and husband Jim, Janet Mathews and husband Jack, and David’s wife, remarried, Kathy Faust. Additionally, six grandchildren and their spouses; Adam Mathews and wife Desiree, Adrian Mathews and wife Suzy, Stacie Garcia and husband Manuelito, Monique Casey and husband Kevin, Elise Cayayan and husband Leo, Jesse Vigil-Cambron and wife Laura, 16 great grandchildren and 3 great- great grandchildren. Davis grew up in a large family of six brothers and three sisters. Also mourning his loss are his remaining brothers and sisters; Marie Jewel (husband Del, preceded), Joe Vigil and wife Connie, Lorraine Vigil (husband Arturo, preceded), Benny Vigil and wife Faith, Alfred Vigil and wife Carmen, and many nieces and nephews, and extended generations of the family tree. Prayers are often said for the family children lost too soon but always remembered.