Victor Vigil
December 6, 1949 - November 16, 2025
SLC lost one of its earthbound stars to the Infinite and we will all miss the shiny light of our beloved and artistically gifted Victor’s presence terribly. Luckily, he lived a big Life and left us with many, many memories to call up as needed
Victor began his general fabulosity in Kearns, born to Anita & Johnny Vigil in 1949, the second of (eventually) 4 siblings. His sister Eileen remembers running with him to catch the bus to Cyprus (he graduated from Kearns) HS. In school, Victor proved popular, drawing pictures on the bus to delight other students and joining multiple clubs where his multiple talents could shine. Great at everything he did, he was a happy and very social kid.
After high school, he was drafted by the Navy and served on the (final) USS Jouett as a Yeoman. He was the Radar O’Reilly for his unit. With that position, he was able to get leave to visit his family: once he arrived for his mom’s birthday carrying a pineapple that had sparklers in it. While home, he introduced the family to different types of music, art, styles, fashion, life outside Utah. It was at this time that he first shared his wonderful rendition of Tina Turner’s signature dance moves. Truly a vision seared on many retinas.
After completing his service, he lived in California for a while and worked at a bookstore. He loved California and once got to see Paul Jabara & Grace Jones, performing on floats at a gay pride parade in San Francisco. Returning to Utah, Victor completed cosmetology school and gave his youngest sister, Jacqueline, a mullet in junior high, well before the style became a fad (he was his sister Deborah’s hair stylist for much of their lives – no mullets). Deborah said that Victor was determined that the client would not leave his chair without complete satisfaction. That said, his personal style was always very much his own. Vests and hats never went out of fashion for him. He loved the beauty of the Tropics: flowers, plants, palms trees. However, he was never gaudy: always tasteful with a little spice – dapper, not dandy. An exceptional artist, he shared his work through many birthday cards. He was also a perfectionist and family often had to dig his work out of the trash can so it could be framed and treasured.
Here in SLC he built the life that he lived so well from his little base near the ballpark. His crew was “The Breakfast Club”. He and his dear Clifford (aka “Old Spice” and “The Big Red Dog”) could “meet at the office” (Wasted Space or Cheers to You) and spend time with Katherine, V (and Jay), Chris, Robin, Smitty, Wade, Uncle Mark & Guy. He cherished his friends and was glad to have such a close group to make the rounds with. He and his friends were able to share their joys and burdens: Victor was also good at always saying or doing the little things that let each know how much he cared about them.
Simultaneously, Victor was always protective, like a good big brother, of his sister Deborah. To her he was best friend, and classroom/home decorator. He respected the things she cared about and was always good with her friends. He had wonderful and unique relationships with all of his cousins & nephews. And this was his greatest gift: whoever you are, he met you as you are, and always made you feel that you were getting all of him while with him – no phones, no distractions. He made everyone feel special. Everyone that knows him, fell in love with him. Whether you called him, Old Spice, Uncle Walter, Miss Vickie or Vickie Edie, to know Victor was to love him. And he loved us all, just like Fred Rogers did, ‘just the way [we] are’. May we all do the same (within reason).
The family is grateful to RN Anthony and the rest of the outstanding staff at IHC Murray (9th Floor South rules!) for helping the many cousins say our farewells, as we will, loudly and with much laughter.
Victor will be met at the Rainbow Bridge by Pamela Cleveland, who has been waiting loyally.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, November 25th from 4:00-6:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.
In Loving Memory
Leo and I both are so sorry for your loss. Victor was the funniest little shit ever! Victor always gave the best and biggest hugs ever just like his sister Jackie. Even though we didn't see him often he will always be in our hearts forever! We love you so much Vic and I promise we will see you again and you better be ready for even a bigger hug next time we see you. Love you a long time!
I am so sorry to hear of Victor's passing. He will be so deeply missed. I wish I could be there at his services, but I will be sending love from afar. Victor was such a bright light, and I am so honored to have witnessed it so closely. I will miss laughing with him, at all of our ridiculous inside jokes. I will miss his good morning texts, and welcoming hugs. We love you, Victor! We love you, family.
The thing that I have kept reminding myself, since I heard of Victor's accident and then passing, is that I was blessed and very lucky for each and every time that I saw Victor. And that I have infinite more gratitude over the grief of this incredible loss, that so many of us are feeling. Victor made you happy, just by his spark of joy and interest in you. He made people feel important, and special. Not for shallow reasons, just because you are you, truly reminiscent of how Mr. Rogers felt about each and every person. A 3 minute run in with Victor could make and entire week of crud vanish instantly, and leave you with grinning for days. That was his gift, and his gift to all of us. He made us realize that we each had something that he found spectacular and that brought all of us a bit of unfiltered happiness. Those are rare moments in this world, and he created hundreds of them every single day. I will admit, I do feel robbed. I was just really getting to know Victor, we'd been neighbors for just about a year and a half. I really just got to know him as a friend in the past 6 or so months. Our conversations were about art, music, books... all of the things that you really can't find others to discuss with at legnths about these days. I'll miss our chats, even if they were quick because we were passing each other on the way to different destinations. I'll miss how he laughed every time I called him Posh (Spice), an inside joke between he and some of us that live in the same building. I'll miss his incredible stories. I'll miss having a fellow artist to ramble on about the "divine madness" that comes with the creative mind. I'll miss how he made me see that there is something spectacular and fascinating about me, even when I refuse to see it myself. Victor was like the uncle that I always wanted. An accepting, wise, worldly, funny and cultured man who didn't see the world as it is, but by each of us and the things that made us so spectacular to him. Victor is, and will always be, someone whom I admire and to strive to be more like, because this world needs a whole lot more minds and hearts like Victor. Thank you Posh, you will be remembered with the highest of regards, by so very many people, for the rest of our days.
Victor was part of our leavitt family. He love my grandma Elaine. Best friends they said. He was a strong one to be around my family lol but they would laugh and laugh. My dad actually got victor to paint my bedroom furniture and my pops still has it all. Victor cut our hair all the time. Our stylist no mullets lol he played such a great part in our lives. I’m privileged to have had such a great person in our lives. Rest easy I love you.
I mostly knew Victor during our three years in classes at Kearns Jr. High. He was always a positive influence. I always thought he had a great name: The Vigilant Victor. God bless.
So sorry to hear of Victor‘s passing. We were good friends all through school and through attending the Catholic church in Kearns. He was always fun to be around and made me laugh. You will be missed.
I was sadden to learn of Victor's passing and sorry I didn't read about it until the day after the celebration of life. I would have definitly attened. Victor was always a friend and great guy as we progressed through Catechism at St. Francis and Kearns Junior and High schools. May he rest in peace and peace be with his family and friends. Frank Pedroza
In Loving Memory
