Albert Anthony Vigil

Albert Anthony Vigil died peacefully on August 11, 2025, at his home in Longmont, Colorado. He was a positive presence in many lives and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

Albert was born August 4, 1937, in Taos, New Mexico, to Eduardo Vigil and Lilly (Santistevan) Vigil. The Vigils are a longtime Taos family and Albert had many relatives in the area. He grew up working on his family’s ranch and herding livestock in the mountains surrounding Taos, where he developed a life long passion for horses and western culture.

Albert enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and served in the Korean War with the 284th Field Artillery Battalion as a truck driver, radio operator, and translator. He was a proud veteran who carried a deep sense of honor and pride for the U.S. military and enjoyed military museums, equipment and history. After his discharge, Albert moved to Denver, Colorado where he worked in wholesale restaurant food preparation and delivery services. He married Betty Jean (Wick) Parko in 1968, and together they raised four children (Theresa, Karen, John, and Barbara) in Arvada. They later moved to Westminster and then retired to Longmont in 2002, where he enjoyed tending to his yard, attending Catholic church, and socializing with neighbors and family.

His passion for horses and riding reflected his ranching roots, and even when he could no longer ride, he kept that spirit alive by riding his tractor lawnmower. He was a self-taught musician, playing both guitar and piano entirely by ear and performing with several bands in his younger years. When arthritis prevented him from playing, he continued to enjoy listening to music, especially Mariachi, scrolling YouTube for hours. He loved the outdoors, particularly skiing, where his unmistakable preference for wearing cowboy hats made him easy to spot on the slopes. In later years, Albert nurtured a love for art and history, taking up drawing and always ready to share an “on-this-day” trivia tidbit. Albert had a playful spirit and was wonderful with children. He will be remembered for his liveliness and his positive and steadfast outlook, which left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean (Wick) Vigil, his brother, Louie Vigil, and his daughter Barbara Diane Vigil. He is survived by his children, Theresa Parko McHenry, Karen Lynn Parko, and John Emil Parko, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother, Cecil Mark Vigil.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 2:30 pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO. Albert’s celebration of life reception will be following the service from3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the VFW Post at 5220 W Warren Ave, Denver, CO 80227.