Our lives will never be the same.
Our Story
On June 14, 2018, Meghan Bigelow and her three boys were enjoying a beautiful Colorado summer day of running errands, attending swim team practice, and going to the dentist. Vaughn Jr. was thirteen years old when he became the victim of a violent crime that day.
Vaughn was riding in the car with his mother and two younger brothers when another driver followed their vehicle into the parking lot of their pediatric dentist. When Vaughn, his mom, and his two brothers exited their car, the other driver aggressively confronted them.
That driver then returned to his car, retrieved his gun, and began to open fire on Vaughn and his family. He shot Vaughn, his 7-year-old brother, Meghan, and another witness to the crime. He left all of them for dead and fled.
The middle brother was able to escape and find help. Thanks to the heroic efforts of many first responders and medical experts, Meghan, Vaughn’s youngest brother, and the other wounded witness survived their near-fatal injuries. Vaughn’s life was taken. Our family and community were forever changed that day. Our lives will never be the same.
Most of us grieve deeply when we lose someone close to us. The people who were lucky to know Vaughn Bigelow Jr. will forever grieve because he was taken from us much too young. No one should ever endure the grief and pain we have felt after losing a child in an act of criminal violence. Big Waves was created in memory of Vaughn Bigelow Jr. by Vaughn Sr. and Meghan Bigelow.
The purpose of Big Waves is to nurture and grow the sport of water polo in Colorado, raise awareness about mental health and gun violence, build a stronger community, and spread smiles one ripple at a time.
Vaughn Jr. had a contagious smile. It will never be forgotten, but we will always feel a pain in our hearts when we wonder what more he could have given to our community.
Vaughn Scott Bigelow Jr.
(AKA “Bubba”)
Vaughn was born and raised in Colorado. We got to watch him from the time he was a chubby little baby until he grew into a tall skinny teenage boy. He was a nephew, a son, a grandson, a big brother, a student, an athlete, a musician, a builder, a world traveler, a cousin, and a friend. He was ever-changing, but he always had the same goofy and contagious smile and laugh that many remember. He was always ready to make the most of his day, whether full of rain, snow, or sunshine.
Vaughn truly had an innocence, a pure heart, and a gentle soul. His kindness shone through in his actions and thoughts. His goodness was recognized by those of us who knew him, and we loved him for it. It was truly special how Vaughn could have such a positive impact on so many people at such a young age.
He loved the competition and friendships he found in sports. He was a talented skier, an avid biker, and he played flag football for a few seasons. But the water was his happy place, and water polo his specialty. He was a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Neptunes water polo team. Some of the Neptunes were selected as part of an Olympic Development Program Mountain Zone team that competed in tournaments as far away as California. Vaughn loved being a part of that group. We enjoyed getting to watch him play in tournament games close to home and around the country. We were so happy to hear he had found a team and a sport he could grow with. The water polo community was starting to feel like family, and Vaughn Sr. and Meghan will never forget the hours sitting poolside, cheering him on. We will never get to see what he would have been when he grew up. We will never get to see how tall he would be.
We will never get to see where else his determination and perseverance would take him. But we know he will be forever in our dreams, thoughts, and prayers. And we hope the rest of us will take his lead and spread a contagious smile.
