Jimmy Vigil Obituary

Jim R. Vigil, son of Ernesto and Piedad Vigil, passed away on Saturday, April 30th at 7:45 AM. Jim passed 14 days after being diagnosed with leukemia. During his hospitalization to combat the disease, he contradicted pneumonia and died from complications brought on by it. At the time of his death, Jim passed away surrounded by his family, friends, children, grandchildren and his loving wife, Paula, at his bedside.

Jim was born in Phoenix, Arizona on October 13th, 1946 and grew up in the valley's Compito Barrio. Jim attended Herrera Elementary School, where today his name lives on through a student scholarship set up by Mr. Pete Garcia and La Victoria Foundation. Jim graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1964 . A few years later, in 1969, Jim joined the US Army. Upon his return from serving his country, Jim enrolled at Phoenix College and began his journey as a social worker.

Jim worked at Valle De Sol, where he oversaw his own methadone clinic. Jim was a proud board member of CPLC (Chicanos Por La Causa), La Victoria Foundation, Tiempo, and Marisol Credit Union, where he served to better our community and further tackle issues affecting its people. Jim, along with an attorney friend, Wendy S. Morton, Esq., penned a children's book, titled "Court Story" to encourage children to not be afraid when facing a judge in court. In his free time, Jim loved to play golf. He was an avid golfer, frequently playing and winning in local golf tournaments. His proficiency and passion for the game earned him the nickname "The Mexican Tiger Woods" among those that played with him. Everyone who knew Jim knew his other passion was enjoying a nice glass of wine.

Jim's biggest passion was being surrounded by his family and friends. Above all, his family, friends and wife, Paula, were the most important to him. Jim met the love of his life, Paula, in 1983 and spent the next 38 years dedicating his life to being the best husband any woman could ever hope or dream. Nine months after meeting Paula, Jim took her to a doctor's appointment, where she was diagnosed with lupus and given less than a year to live. Jim stuck by her side, and together they beat the odds and wrote a love story that many have admired for four decades. But, their story is not over. It will continue when they both meet again in heaven. Jim retired in 2009 from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Paula and Jim enjoyed the next 13 years as retirees, spending each day together relaxing, traveling, shopping, golfing, binge-watching TV shows and movies, dinner and lunches with friends, dancing at The Legion, working on further improving their beautiful home and their favorite pass-time: spending time with their grandchildren. A close second to spending time with their grandchildren was rooting for their Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals each season.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Ernesto; mother, Piedad; and sisters Lola and Maryann. He is survived by his brothers, Bob and Ernesto, Jr., and his sisters, Gloria, Irene, and Margie. In addition, he is survived by his children: daughter, Mary Frances; and sons, James, Albert, and Derek; grandchildren Jacinda, James, Joshua, Jeremy, Mercedes, Roque, Alia, Lawren, Athena, Mellina, Bianca, Jaime, Jayden and Jenaya; great-grandchildren, Evan, Aiden, and Londyn Harper.

We love and miss you.

Funeral Mass

11:30am, Friday,

May 20th, 2022

St. Gregory Church

Committal Service

1.30pm Friday,

May 20th, 2022

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona