Jean-Pierre Dolimont

Jean-Pierre Dolimont, born on November 26, 1953, in Rochefort-sur-Mer, France, died unexpectedly at home due to complications from a chronic illness on January 1. 2026. Jean (“John”, as he was known) came to this country with his family when he was a boy, living in the California Bay Area. When he was older, he first worked in a brick factory there, but he always loved the outdoors and eventually moved to Wyoming to work on the Julian Ranch. He loved working with animals and being outside and keeping busy. He worked for many years on that ranch in southwest part of the state where he became an indispensable worker and friend to all that knew him. He subsequently moved to New Mexico and worked at the Saddleback Ranch near Lamy, NM, again becoming such a valuable worker that the owner came to be more of a friend than a boss.

Once, his boss brought out his limousine and told Jean that he was to drive him and his wife to Albuquerque for a special event. Jean declined and got into the back of the car, stating that he could not drive in such a high traffic area and that he would have to drive. So Jean and the boss’s wife sat in the back drinking champagne while the owner drove all the way. And upon arrival, Jean-Pierre was treated with the utmost respect and deference while his boss was brushed aside as a mere employee. In the end, all ended well, as everyone involved saw it as a very humorous event. And on another occasion, a relative of his millionaire boss brought her pet to Jean, telling him that he had to shampoo her dog while she was absent. When faced with new challenges, Jean could be very innovative. Not knowing how to bathe a dog, Jean tied the animal inside a horse-shower stall and poured a bottle of shampoo over it.

He then used a reduced pressure sprayer to wash it as the poor animal, now a ball of bubbles, ran frantically in circles trying to escape. Later, when the lady returned, she was very happy to find her dog clean and very fluffy, never suspecting the drama that her little darling had experienced.

Unfortunately, the untimely death of his employer forced the sale of the place and Jean was forced to seek work elsewhere. Jean would eventually receive a small inheritance from his boss, as well as a significant gift. Jean carried on and finally retired from Wal-Mart in Santa Fe where he would often return to visit the friends that he had made there. Jean-Pierre was a very friendly person, always seeking new friends and willing to lend a hand even to total strangers, never asking for anything in return. He was hardworking, sober, and loyal and would often bring bunches of flowers to his mother who lived nearby. Jean was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to talk anyone’s ear off about fishing. He never married and leaves behind his six grieving siblings, numerous aunts and uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins, here and in France, all of whom loved him dearly. For all that knew him, he will be greatly missed.

Jean-Pierre is survived by his parents Williams and Gillette Vigil and his brother Eliseo Vigil, all of La Puebla, his brothers Michel Dolimont and Heinz Vigil, and sisters Beatrice Dolimont and Andrea Dooling, all of California, and his sister Brigitte (Pierre) Barbin in France.

Cremation has taken place and, per his wishes, there will be no burial. A Memorial service will be held at the DeVargas Funeral Home, 623 N. Railroad Avenue, Espanola, NM, (505-747-7477) on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 11:00 am.