Victor Eugene Tafoya

Victor Eugene Tafoya, 64, passed away peacefully at his home in Haigler, Nebraska, on February 20, 2026, surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, stubborn resilience, unmistakable humor, and a lifelong streak of orneriness that kept those around him smiling.

Victor was born July 14, 1961, in Las Animas, Colorado, to Earnest “Pete” Orlando Tafoya and Geraldine Benetta (Schafer) Tafoya. Shortly after his birth, he was baptized, with Alfonso and Chonita Montano serving as his godparents. He grew up in the Las Animas area and attended both public and parochial schools, where he developed a healthy respect for the Sisters who taught him. Victor was one of ten full siblings and part of a much larger blended family that ultimately included at least 18 siblings and half-siblings through his parents’ earlier marriages.

His work ethic was forged early. He spent his childhood helping his father with sheep, crop irrigation, and the general duties of farm life. As a teenager, Victor quit school to take a full-time job at a local feed mill. At 17, after buying a new coat and jeans with his own earnings, despite his father’s disapproval, he decided to see more of the world and left Las Animas. In 1979, he signed on with Crouch and Son’s Amusements and went on the road as a “carnie.”

It was on the carnival circuit that he met the love of his life, JoAnn Klinzmann, who had joined the carnival at the same time. They were married October 12, 1979, in Texas. After the birth of their son, Alex, in November 1981, they moved to JoAnn’s hometown of Haigler, Nebraska—a place Victor proudly made his own.

After a time working on a bridge construction crew and working for local farmers, Victor put his earlier farm and mill experience to use at Olson’s Seed Company before settling into the work that would define much of his life. Over more than twenty years, including a short stint working on the county road crew, Victor worked at Consumers Co-op ( later merging into Great Plains, and again into M & M Co-op) in Wray, Colorado. He worked his way up to shop manager and became the man people counted on for tires, exhaust, and alignments. He believed in doing the job right and wasn’t shy about saying so. Many high school kids learned the trade under him, along with a few life lessons, whether they asked for them or not. After the shop was closed in the final merger, Victor did a little part-time consulting with D & S Tire, until his failing health forced him to fully retire.

Victor treasured his time with his son, Alex. More like an older brother than a strict parent, he could often be found down on the ground playing in the dirt, turning ordinary moments into adventures. He took Alex fishing with his maternal grandfather, where they watched in awe as Grandpa seemed to pull in the biggest fish every time. Those days—mud on their hands, laughter, and quiet time together—became some of Alex’s most lasting memories.

During those years, several of Victor’s brothers spent time in Haigler—some visiting, some living with him for a stretch. Joe eventually settled nearby in Haigler and later Wray, keeping them close. They helped each other when needed and, though they were young men who should have known better, still managed to get into a little mischief together.

Victor spent many good years with his in-laws and JoAnn’s cousins and extended family. His father-in-law had his own way of offering morning reflections on faith—lessons Victor carried with him. When he went on “fishing trips” with cousin Danny, they rarely came back without a story.

The highlight of Victor's life was the birth of his son, Alex. The pride in the title of “Dad”, was only matched when Victor proudly laid claim to the title of “Grandpa”, to Avery Jean, Axel Victor, and Atlas Wayne, children of Alex, and wife Amber.

Victor and JoAnn had one son, but Janice—JoAnn’s sister—and her husband, Mike, were part of his everyday family, and he loved their daughters, Jenna and Jillana, like his own. To them he was “Uncle Vicki,” the one who gave them the nicknames “Dirty Sally” and “Filthy Jane,” watched The Simpsons and Cops with them, and never minded losing a living-room wrestling match.

He cared for their families in the same way: Natalie (Jenna’s daughter) and Kamden, Desmond, Xena, Elias, and Ezra (Jillana’s children). Victor also thought a lot of his “ weekend son”, Mike Workman, and his family.

Victor’s later years were marked by significant health challenges, including peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and a cancer diagnosis in 2025. Through it all, he leaned on his faith and trust in God, facing each day as it came. He often found comfort in memories of simpler times—wrestling with his brothers, riding around and getting into mischief with classmates and siblings, spending time with his wife’s family, and the stories he liked to tell about the interesting characters and wild adventures from his childhood in Las Animas and his time on the carnival.

Victor’s orneriness and that familiar twinkle in his eye will be missed by those who knew him best and loved him most.

Victor was preceded in death by

His parents, Earnest “Pete” Orlando Tafoya and Geraldine Benetta Tafoya. His brothers Robert (Bobby), Raymond, and Paul Tafoya. His parents-in-law, Arthur and Ella Mae Klinzmann,and EllaMae’s sister, Mayme Rose, whom he loved as his own. Also, two infant sisters who died in infancy, Stephanie and Geraldine.

Victor is survived by

His wife of 46 years, JoAnn, his son, Alex Edward Tafoya, daughter-in-law Amber and grandchildren, Avery, Axel, and Atlas.

Sister-in-heart Janice and husband Mike Edwards, along with their daughters Jenna, husband Morgan Burrell and daughter Natalie, and Jillana,husband Travis Barker, and children Kamden, Desmond, Xena, Elias, and Ezra, who were all central to his daily life.

His siblings: Jose Guadalupe “Joe” Tafoya, Nancy Villa, Lorenzo Tafoya, and Pete Tafoya.

He is also survived by many half-siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family members from both sides of his parents’ earlier marriages.

Memorials may be given to Saint Jude Children's Hospital.