In Loving Memory
Vicente Vasco Fernandez
Funeral services for Vicente “Vince” Vasco Fernandez, 81, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. A Vigil Service with a Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Davis Funeral Home with a wake to follow at family residence, 10880 HWY 789, Riverton, Wyoming.
Mr. Vasco Fernandez passed away on July 17, 2025, at Sage West Hospital in Riverton, Wyoming.
Vince was born on April 28, 1944, in Riaño, Santander, Spain, Vicente was the son of Arturo Vasco Rodriguez and Carmen Fernandez Fernandez. In his early years, Vicente loved the game of “futbol” and played it at a high level in Santander, Spain. His passion for the world’s game would get passed onto his family and grandkids who play the game today. At the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States on a visa sponsored by the Geraud family and began his American journey as a sheep herder for the Fremont Sheep Company. Through hard work and determination, he quickly rose to the position of Camp Manager and was responsible for locating and coordinating all camp moves. He also quickly assumed overall management responsibilities for Fremont Sheep Company including the farming/ranching duties. In the early 1980s, he jumped to the oil field and within limited time had worked his way up into a driller position. He spent a few years working as a driller for Parker Drilling before returning to his agricultural roots where he continued his role with Fremont Sheep Company with the Geraud family and then in the late 1990s with the Bebout Family – two families that were near and dear to Vince.
Vince married the love of his life, Maria Leonor Escobedo on July 23, 1976 in Buffalo, Wyoming. Maria Leonor was his pillar and his “right hand man.”
Eventually, Vicente purchased farmland north of Riverton that had previously been part of the Fremont Sheep Company and this was the start of the Vasco Cattle Company. Ranching and farming were not just his work—they were his passion. He took great pride in tending to his cattle and land while working alongside his wife and children. He had a deep respect for animals and a sharp business acumen which allowed his black angus cow/calf operation to thrive.
Vicente was a devoted family man who loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was endlessly proud of his kids and grandkids and never missed an opportunity to share their accomplishments. A true people person, he never met a stranger and built a wide circle of friends in the community, a community where he was broadly respected.
He particularly enjoyed attending Tuesday’s livestock sales at the Riverton Livestock Auction and had a knack for mechanics, teaching himself how to repair farm equipment. He was especially skilled with hay cubers and could fix just about anything on the ranch. Known for his physical strength, work ethic and resilience, Vicente had been witnessed loading 55 gallon drums on his own and was tough as nails—never one to complain. Meticulous in everything he did, he embodied the classic Type A personality: driven, precise, disciplined, and dedicated.
Vicente leaves behind a legacy of hard work, devotion to family, and an unwavering love for the land he called home.
Survivors include his wife, Maria Leonor Vasco of Riverton, Wyoming; sons, Joseph Vicente Vasco and wife Lisa of Green River, and Richard Vasco of Riverton; daughters, Maria Carmen Vasco and Mark Mathews of Riverton, and Enedina Ann Vasco and husband Josh Green of Riverton, WY; 7 grandchildren; Isabel, Vicente, Tommy, Lana, Alexander, Arturo, and Vivi: sister, Maria Vasco Fernandez of Spain. As well as numerous nieces and nephews and brothers/sisters-in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arturo Vasco Rodriguez and Carmen Fernandez Vasco; son, Thomas Vasco; brothers, Arturo Vasco Fernandez and Dario Vasco Fernandez; sister, Amelia Vasco Fernandez.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for Vince’s family may be made at: TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton, Wyoming.