Bernard John "Bernie" Carrigan

Graveside inurnment committal services will be held on Sunday afternoon, September 29, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at the Kit Carson Cemetery in Kit Carson, CO. Both Bernie and his daughter Andrea Carrigan will be laid to rest. A reception will follow at the St. Augustine Church Hall in Kit Carson.
Bernard (Bernie) John Carrigan was born in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado on January 15, 1943, to Joe and Helen Carrigan. Bernie was raised on a ranch northwest of Wild Horse, Colorado. He was the second of ten siblings. He attended a one room school in Aroya, Colorado, completing the 8th grade. He then attended Kit Carson High School graduating in 1961. He excelled in sports during high school but his first love was always rodeo. Growing up he would ride anything that would buck, often recruiting his younger sisters as gate men or chute workers, which didn't always turn out for the best!! After graduating high school he attended Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado, where he joined the rodeo team. He made life- long friends during this time and was proud of winning a saddle for all-around cowboy. This saddle was always with him in all of his moves throughout life and it had a special place on a stand in their current home.
Bernie completed his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1965. He also went on to obtain his Masters Degree in 1969 and a PhD and Clinical Psychologist License in 1975. Bernie joined the Peace Corps in 1965 after graduating with his Bachelor's. Unfortunately, Bernie had injured his shoulder during his rodeo years and a re-injury during his Peace Corps training made it impossible for him to continue. When his plans suddenly changed and having no job prospects, he happened to hear of a teaching position at his old alma mater Kit Carson High School. He remained in this position for a year which was quite an experience for him, as he was teaching his siblings and they had to call him Mr. Carrigan without laughing. The next leg of Bernie's career took him to Oakridge, Oregon for one year and on to California. He held several teaching and counseling positions throughout California, retiring as Dean of Student Services from San Jacinto Community College in 2004. Bernie and Lillian were married on April 18, 1973, and this year they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had one daughter, Andrea Nicole, who passed away on March 20, 2020.
Bernie's health began to decline this last year. He passed away in Carlsbad, California, on February 22, 2024. He is preceded in death by their beloved daughter Andrea, his parents Joe and Helen Carrigan and three sisters, Betty Jo Rother, Connie Pitts & RaLyn Carrigan. Surviving family members are his wife Lillian, siblings Mary Jean Carrigan, Joyce Carrigan, Theresa Krizek, Alice (Alan) Roth, Ed (Char) Carrigan, Ken (Cheryl) Carrigan and several nieces and nephews.