Santiago Alejandro Vigil Jr, 28 of Chimayo New Mexico was unexpectedly called to his eternal home on August 23, 2026. He was born on June 26, 1998 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Santiago was the most care free, down to earth, free spirit, stubborn, confident young man with a great sense of humor. Santiago never met a mirror he didn’t like, he was always his favorite view. He was smart, motivated, and very passionate about life.

Santiago’s love for football grew at a young age when he began playing YAFL and continued until his record breaking season at Espanola Valley High School in 2015. As a high school football standout he electrified the field, one of those records being a 99 yard touchdown run, a state record that still stands today. Later being recognized at the round house in Santa Fe with his team by the Governor. He bled blue and silver and wore his Dallas Cowboys proudly every Sunday, everyone knew to stay far away from Santiago if his boys had lost. Spending his last Thanksgiving in Dallas with family rooting on “Dem Boyz!” On the off season, you’d find him rooting for his Los Angeles Lakers. But, if you ask anyone that knew him they wont start with football, they’ll start with his big heart.

He was the son who was literally a piece of her soul, the brother who was equally her hero and best friend, the grandson who carried on the family name with honor, the nephew who hugged like he meant it, A teammate that picked you up, the friend that remembered your birthday (or did he). Santiago was larger than life, he was loved and adored by anyone who crossed his path, and he loved his family with everything he had. He spent his life searching for his true place in this world. A quiet journey of self discovery that he never gave up on.

Santiago and his mom Melanie’s bond was unbreakable, he was her greatest pride and she was his constant anchor through life’s storms. Her love shaped him and his devotion to her defined him. They shared a rare closeness, finding strength and comfort in each other’s company. Santiago and his sister Cherish were not just siblings, they were each other’s first best friend. Where you saw one, you saw the other. When one hurt, the other hurt. When one celebrated, the other celebrated. Melanie and Cherish will now be faced with navigating this world without him, Please keep them in your prayers.

Santiago is preceded in death by his father, Santiago (Jamie) Vigil, his maternal grandmother Rebecca (Becky) Martinez, maternal great grandparents Rev. Emilio and Dora Martinez of Espanola, Severiano and Bernie Martinez of Chimayo, paternal great grandparents Max and Louise Esquibel of Cuartlez, Bonifacio and Juanita Vigil of Chimayo, cousin Gavin Heffelfinger of Las Cruces, who was like a brother and best friend Aj Mares.

He is survived by his mother Melanie Jean Martinez (Henry Ramirez), sister Cherish Vigil (Benjamin Orozco), grandparents Jimmy and Barbara Vigil, Eli Severiano Martinez, uncle and aunts Bonifacio and Tricia Vigil, Dwayne and Reina Sanchez, Eli Martinez Jr. (Marlena Fischer), Vince and Tracy Baros, Phil and Wendy Skeets. Cousins, Dwayne Jr, Breanna, Justin (Kaylinn and baby Bo), Brayden, Tristen, Santana, Marisol, Nathan, Cheyenne, Vince Jr (Christina, Vincent III, and August), Kearstin, Paige, Kyleigh, Ayden.

Serving as Pallbears are Bonifacio, Eli Jr, Phil, Benjamin, Justin, Brayden, Tristen.

Honorary pallbearers Dwayne Jr, Breanna, Santana, Vince Jr, Paige, Kyleigh, Ayden.

The family of Santiago Vigil requests Cowboy attire/colors be worn for his services.

A Public Visitation will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 4:00 pm, with a Rosary to follow at 5:00 pm, in the Sangre de Cristo chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chimayo, NM, with a Burial to follow at the Nuestra Senora de Dolores Cemetery. 

The family of Santiago Alejandro Vigil Jr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley 505-747-7477.