Major Kathryn A. Aguilar "Kat"

On April 6 2025 Kat lost her courageous 5 year battle of metastatic breast cancer with her loving family by her side. She was born July 30th 1982 in La Junta Co. Kat spent her early years in Southeastern Colorado and later moved to the Denver area, graduating with honors from Northglenn High School. Kat graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Regis University. After nine years in the private sector as a medical billing manager, she took a position with the State of Colorado department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) performing program management and commander support for the 140th Security Forces Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard. During her four years with DMVA she discovered a passion for civil service and enlisted in the Colorado Air National Guard in 2012. Soon thereafter, she transferred her civilian career to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment as the Assistant to the Executive Director. Kat earned her first Security Forces badge and beret as an enlisted member of the 140th Security Forces Squadron in 2013, reaching the grade E-5 staff sergeant. In 2016 she received her commission as a second lieutenant from the United States Air Force Officer Academy, Lt Aguilar earned her badge and beret for the second time. In 2018 she was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was deployed to Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan in 2019. In 2020 Kat was promoted to the rank of Captain and received many commendations for her service and accomplishments. In April 2025 she was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major USAF.

Kat is survived by her father and stepmother Michael and Virginia Aguilar, mother Jane Aguilar, grandmother Adelina Chaparro, brother Richard Aguilar, step sisters Tina (Michael) Ortega, Angela Spaulding, former husband Senior Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Nay, special friend Mike Hart, Aunt/Sister Crystal Chaparro, lifelong friends Linzy Whorton and Justin Berg and her cherished and babied puppies Chloe Marie Aguilar and Roxy Aguilar. Also survived by many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and the many members of the Colorado Air National Guard, especially the members of the 140th Security Forces Squadron, Buckley Space Force Base.

Kat was preceded in death by her Grandparents Patricio and Yolanda Aguilar, Geno Chaparro, uncle Geno Chaparro II, Aunt Michelle Chaparro, Aunt Patty Renchler and her dear puppy Lola Aguilar and cuddly cat Mr. Jingles.

Outside of her work, Kat enjoyed staying active with swimming, running, and novice cycling as well as exploring Colorado’s endless offerings. Kat was also a lifelong reader, writer and journalist. In the February/March 2025 issues of Wildfire Breast Cancer Magazine she had an article published. She also dedicated her time to causes benefiting veterans, children and animals. Kats generosity knew no bounds. Not only was she generous in life but also in death as an organ donor.

In lieu of flowers Kat requested donations to Casting for Recovery, Wildfire Breast Cancer Magazine, 140th Wing Heritage fund in support of the Minuteman Statue Project Alliance of Therapy Dogs and the Denver Dumb Friends League.

Kat was a remarkable woman and will be missed by many and remembered forever.