Aida Trujillo

aligncenterAida O. Trujillo

aligncenterNovember 23, 1915 March 5, 2008

The time has finally come for me to say Adios, amigos for I shall go home to be with my Lord. He has blessed me with a full, happy and fruitful life and with a caring family, friends and neighbors. I have enjoyed my life to its fullest. I have traveled the world, loved my wonderful husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have truly been blessed. Thank you, Lord, for creating me and thank you for letting me live.

Aida Ortega Trujillo was born in Roswell, NM on November 23, 1915 to Agustin Gus Ortega and Maria Villarreal Ortega, the eldest daughter of a pioneer family. She lived in Roswell with her family where her father operated a taxi service and her mother ironed clothes. She also spent much time living in Picacho, NM where the family owned a small ranch and raised apples and pears. Her family placed a great value on education and supported her studies. Aida applied herself diligently and was blessed to acquire an education as a graduate of Roswell High School and the professional business school where she learned to be a secretary and bookkeeper.

Aida was married to Antonio Tony F. Trujillo, a native of Brownsville, Texas. Tony had come to the Roswell area during the depression in 1933 with the Civilian Conservation Corps CCC as the Company Clerk while the Corps constructed the Bottomless Lakes State Park. He also served as a payroll clerk while stationed at Ft. Stanton. Upon their marriage in 1936, the couple lived for a short time in Brownsville, Texas where Aida was employed by a bakery and learned much about running a business.

After their relocation back to Roswell, Tony was employed as an aircraft mechanic at the Roswell Army Air Field later known as Walker Air Force Base during World War II working on B-17s, B-29s and B-52s. He was later employed by Sears Roebuck and Company. In 1943, Aida joined him in civil service, was employed by the Army Air Corps and worked as a secretary in the RAAF Hospital. Interestingly, she was employed there at the time of the Roswell Incident in 1947. Aida served as a professional secretary to the Professor of Military Science at the New Mexico Military Institute ROTC from which she retired. Her sons graduated from NMMI. Upon her retirement she received the Alumni Emeritis from NMMI

By 1949, the Trujillos became young entrepreneurs in introducing and providing Mexican Food to the region when they founded El Charro Tortilla Factory, the first tortilla factory in Southeastern New Mexico. They were pioneers in the Mexican food business and were instrumental in educating the public on the uses of Mexican food products. The first facility was located in front of Missouri Elementary School. As the business grew, Trujillo Enterprises expanded with the establishment of La Poblanita Mexican Foods in Lovington as well as restaurants in both locations and another factory in Amarillo, Texas. While the two out of-town businesses were passed on to their sons, the local El Charro Mexican Food Industries is now in its third generation of ownership owned by her grandson, Michael A. Trujillo.

Aida O. Trujillo was a very dedicated and active member in her community. She was a parish member of both St. Johns Catholic Church and St. Peters Catholic Church. She proudly served as a Eucharistic Minister, ministering to the needs of homebound parishioners.

Mrs. Trujillo was active in numerous service and civic organizations and was the recipient of many honors and recognitions throughout her life. She served as secretary of the Red Cross Board of Directors, secretary of the Chaves County Historical Society and Board Member on the YMCA. In addition, Mrs. Trujillo served on the South Park Cemetery Board and on the Board of Chaves County Home Health Services. She is listed in the Chaves County Historical Society Book. Round-Up on the Pecos.
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Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, March 8, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Service

Rosary

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, March 10, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203