Victor P. "Bud" Kipgen III was born to Victor P. Kipgen Jr. and Edith M. Kipgen on Dec. 22, 1950, in Fort Stockton, Texas.

He was raised in Midland, Texas, graduating from Robert E. Lee High School. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, and trained in Sere School to be a River Rat in Vietnam. His group was not called up.

He worked in Houston, Texas, El Paso, Texas, and Fort Stockton.

As a youth and young man, he cowboyed on his grandfather's ranch in Pecos County, Texas, and in the area around Datil, N.M. He was athletic and skied the black diamond runs at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso, N.M. Vic was a volunteer at Hueco Tanks State Park, helping to erase graffiti and preserve the old visitor center.

In 2003 Vic married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Rose. Mary and his sister, Barbara Kipgen, survive him.

Over the years, Vic was known for his great sense of humor and kind heart. He will be missed by many relatives and friends. He is now free from pain, and with his life-long Savior, Jesus.

Graveside memorial services will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Easthill Cemetery in Fort Stockton.

Vaya con Dios, Bud.