Ubaldo Isaias Vigil's Obituary
Ubaldo Isaias Vigil, 84, returned home Sunday, June 11, 2017 as a result of a stroke he suffered on December 4th, 2016. Viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at the Restland Funeral Home in Richardson. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 21, 2017 also at the Restland Funeral Home in Richardson. Ubaldo loved his family and certainly reunited with his parents, Fernando and Rebecca Vigil, and his sweetheart, Frances Corona, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Leora & Thomas Luna; six children: Diane & Scott McPherson, Richard & Marcia Vigil, Elaine & Darrell Miller, Sari & Chad Hunter, LeAnn Heuber, and Ruth & Richard Wardell; 20 grandchildren: Angela (Matt), Christopher, Richie (Britni), Spencer (Megan), Rebecca, Zachary (Jordan), Marisa, Shaylon, Garrett (Meghan), Lindsey (JP), Justin (Tori), Briana, Brandon, Ashlee, Preston, Dalton, David, Allison, Seth, and Levi; and 7 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Max, Jackson, Charlie, Kellan, Nyah, and a Hunter boy on the way. Ubaldo was born on December 30, 1932, in Cuba, New Mexico to Fernando Vigil and Rebecca Sandoval. Ubaldo grew up in very humble circumstances by today’s standards but never felt that he lacked for things. Growing up Ubaldo had close ties with his extended family including playing with cousins and spending summers with grandparents. At age 5, Ubaldo started school. However, instead of walking into the school which was across the street, he hid under the school steps. After a few days, the nuns asked his mother why he was not attending school. After learning the truth, his mother waited a year before sending Ubaldo back to school. Ubaldo learned at an early age the value of work. When he was six, he took care of 24 pigs. One of his jobs was to keep them away from the corn and wheat fields which was not easy. Once he used a broken pitch fork handle to get the pigs out of the crops – the pigs never returned. As a youth, he also worked in the family garden, bailed hay, branded calves, repaired fences for the Forest Service, and stocked shelves and ran the register at a grocery store. After high school, Ubaldo joined the Air Force and served as a radar operator spending four years in Africa and Duncanville, TX. After leaving active duty, he spent another four years in the reserves. Ubaldo often shared his feelings of being emotionally overcome upon seeing the Statue of Liberty as his shipped sailed into the New York harbor. He always had a love for his country. Before his military service, Ubaldo met Frances Corona of Arizona. They dated and continued their relationship while he was in the military. During one leave, Ubaldo proposed to Frances with an engagement ring that he bought from the PX in Texas. A little over a year later, he was released from active duty; and they were married. Their love spanned across many years with varying challenges and remains true today. After having two kids, Ubaldo entered New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico as a sophomore and three years later earned a degree in electrical engineering. With his education, he moved to Utah and started work at the Sperry Company. After three years, Ubaldo moved to Texas and began a 30+ year career at Rockwell Collins Radio. Ubaldo was good with his hands. For years, he fixed his own vehicles – once over-hauling his truck engine. He also built dressers, cabinets, shelving, and a table, and with a friend remodeled the kitchen. Ubaldo started driving at age 10, learning from his uncle. He received a driver’s license at age 14 without having to take a driver’s test. When the officer who was to administer the test was needed elsewhere, he asked the clerk whether she had seen Ubaldo drive. When she said yes, the officer granted him his license. He loved road trips and had just returned from Arizona before his stroke. Ubaldo was very detailed oriented and organized. He maintained various lists. For example, when he traveled he made detailed lists of the clothes he would need to take and the stops he would make along the way. Ubaldo always had a pleasant and positive disposition. At home, he had a goofy side – which always put a smile on others. At an early age, Ubaldo began a life-long relationship with God. When he was 5, Ubaldo had a religious dream that had a lasting impression on him. In his dream, he was asked: “Are you happy?” This question fueled his search of truth. In college, he made a commitment to God that if he were able to earn a degree that he would dedicate his service to God. He obtained his degree, and Ubaldo faithfully lived up to his commitment throughout his life. While in Utah, Ubaldo, through a series of dreams and relationship with a good friend at work, became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He actively served in the LDS church. Prior to his stroke, he served as a financial clerk (a service he had done for more than 5 years) and served in the temple (a service he had done for more than 30 years). Ubaldo had a strong and steady testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ – a testimony he never shied away from sharing. Ubaldo left a legacy of love of God and unconditional service to others. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
What’s your fondest memory of Ubaldo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ubaldo?
Share a story where Ubaldo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ubaldo you’ll never forget.
How did Ubaldo make you smile?