Bobby Vigil

Bobby Don Vigil left this world to meet his Lord and loved ones gone on before him on July 22, 2022 in Amarillo surrounded by his family.

A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel.  The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Celebrant will be Rev. Tony Neusch.  Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.

Bobby burst into this life on December 6, 1948, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, an early Christmas present you could say to his parents, Luis and Tillie Chacon Vigil and was one of seven children.  Bobby was a fun loving and feisty child that kept those qualities throughout his life. It could be said that he was the leader of the Vigil siblings, with his enthusiastic and bright personality.  He loved to sing and dance, especially with his sister Gloria Jean.   In 1966 the family moved from Tucumcari to Culver City, California where his parents believed better opportunities would be opened up for the children.  Throughout high school Bobby was involved in auto mechanics, sparking an interest and passion that would last throughout his life time.   He graduated from Venice High School in 1967.  Eventually he made his way to Albuquerque and by 1975 he had settled in Amarillo.

Bobby owned his own plumbing business and once you were a customer of his, you were always a customer. His motto was “I want to make a living, not a killing.” He was fair with his prices and would often barter or donate his services to those less fortunate or in need.  He genuinely cared about others.

He had a passion for things antique and classic.  Whether it was cars, clocks or antique radios, Bobby had a way of restoring and bringing things back to life.  He was a craftsman.  He could create and restore and meticulously maintain these things he loved so much.  Bobby’s pride and joy was a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire that he kept pristine, but that was only one of his many vintage autos.

He had a love for all of God’s creatures, even donating several of his horses to be used in children’s therapy programs.  Bobby was generous, loving, respectful and above all dependable, all traits that he instilled into his children.  His children knew that he would remain steadfast beside them in their triumphs and tribulations.  He had a way of finding the good in every situation and he could light up the room with his smile.  He lived his life by example, teaching his children to thrive in all circumstances, to be grateful and the power of presence – just being there for one another.  Bobby cherished his grandchildren and let them get away with a lot more than he ever allowed from his own children!  He baby sat, made sure they had dependable automobiles and all around adored each of them. He lived his life well.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; by his son Bobby Jr.; and by a brother Ruben Vigil.

He is survived by his daughters, Angie Vigil of Amarillo, Becky Smith and her husband Kris of Sharpsburg, Georgia, Lisa Vigil of Amarillo, Victoria Vigil and her husband Chris Grabber of Amarillo, and Traci Cook of Oklahoma; his sons, Michael Vigil and his wife Lilli and Ryan Vigil all of Amarillo; his sister Gloria Jean Lynch and her husband Mike of Amarillo; his brothers, Louis Vigil Jr and his wife Luisa of Amarillo, Jerry Vigil and his wife Darice of Albuquerque, Steve Vigil of Amarillo and Jim Vigil and his wife Lori of Agoura Hills, California; his fifteen grandchildren Macee Walker, Hunter Walker, Savanna Smith, Julieanna Smith, Brandan Waldrop, Joe Cordero, Steffan Dandridge, M.J. Dandridge, Keegan Vigil, Clarissa Rhodes, Kamdyn Grabber, Esperanza Yabarra, Cristian Mota, Rico Vigil and Bobby Rush Vigil; and one great-grandchild, Kaige Waldrop.