Mel Bargas Obituary

Bargas
Mel Bargas
January 14, 1943
August 17, 2025

Melvin "Mel" John Bargas, 82, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025. Mel was born in Segundo, Colorado on January 14th, 1943, the 11th child of Joe Bargas and Dena (Trujillo) Bargas. Mel was the youngest of five brothers: Joe, Charles, Jim, Rudy and Eddie, as well as, five sisters: Marie, Claire, Josephine, Dena, and twin sister Marlene.

Mel spent the majority of his early years in Trinidad, Colorado, until his family moved to Englewood, Colorado during his senior year of high school. He graduated from Englewood High in 1961. Mel went on to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduating in 1967, and then earned his Master's Degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling in 1969 from Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado.

Mel moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1969 and worked in vocational rehabilitation in the Dept. of Education for the State of Nebraska for nearly 40 years. He was president of the Rehabilitation Counseling Association of Nebraska and president of the Rehabilitation Association of Nebraska.

In 1989, Mel met the love of his life, Victoria Schwab of Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were married on October 5th, 1991, after which Victoria joined Mel in Lincoln, Nebraska until they both retired and moved to Colorado Springs in 2009. Mel and Victoria loved being together, and they enjoyed traveling and visiting family, especially his daughters and grandchildren out of state and his stepson & grandson in Lakewood, Colorado.

Mel & Victoria also liked exploring historical sites during their travels, both in the United States and abroad, and participating in community events in Colorado Springs. Mel always enjoyed sports, participating when growing up, and following his favorite teams as an adult. He liked spending time doing yard work and projects around the house and exercising at the YMCA.

Mel is fondly remembered for his warm heart, the love and care he had for his family and friends, as well as his fabulous sense of humor!

Mel was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.

Mel is survived by his wife Victoria, who will cherish his memory; his daughters Sheri Cimino (Mark), Citrus Heights, CA, Nicole Ochs (Dirk), Overland Park, KS, and Mandy Spitzer (Jeremie), Shrewsbury, MA, and stepson Andrew Schwab (fiancé Raelynn Nissler and her daughters, Layla and Taylor), Highlands Ranch, CO; grandchildren: Jimmy Bauer, Anchorage, Alaska, Erika Bauer, Citrus Heights, CA, Hannah Bauer, Citrus Heights, CA, Cameron Schwab, Lakewood, CO, Henry Clay, Overland Park, KS, Savvi Spitzer, Shrewsbury, MA, and Merritt Spitzer, Shrewsbury, MA; Brother Jim Bargas, Adel, Iowa, Twin Sister Marlene Bargas-Ulibarri, Arvada, CO, Brothers-In-Law Jim Walker (Linda Porter), Lincoln, NE, and Kelly Walker (Yoriko Walker-Matsumoto), Snohomish, WA; as well as many nieces & nephews.

To honor Mel's memory, donations may be made to Citizens Project, CO Springs (citizensproject.org) or Westside CARES, CO Springs (westsidecares.org).

Care entrusted to Mountain View Mortuary, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Please visit www.dignitymemorial.com for Mel's online guestbook.