Joe Trujillo

A rosary is scheduled for 7 pm, Sunday, September 9, 2012 at St. Peters Catholic Church for Joe Anthony Trujillo 75, who passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2012 in Roswell. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10 am, Monday, September 10, 2012 also at St. Peters Catholic Church. Father Charlie Martinez of St. Peters Catholic Church will be officiating with burial to follow at South Park Cemetery.

I hear His voice, knowing that I have been called now to be with my Lord on September 6, 2012.
Joe Anthony Trujillo was born in Roswell, NM, USA, on 11th of April 1937. His parents, Aida O. Trujillo and Antonio Fernando Trujillo both deceased were wonderful parents who worked hard to raise Joe and his brothers and provide each of them with a good education. Joe Trujillo was a capitalist in business. He had two brothers LTC Arthur H. Trujillo survived by his wife Minerva and Gus A. Trujillo, who was an attorney at law survived by his wife Piedad. In addition, Joe had 2 sisters Josie of Pittsburg, PA and Beatrice deceased.
Joe was educated at Roswell High School class of 1956, New Mexico Military Institute class of 58, and Texas AM University at College Station, TX. He joined the military, before he was drafted and served in the Army and National Guard. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class SFC E7 in nine years as a tank commander and platoon sergeant. He later attended Officer Candidacy School OCS at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was commissioned an officer, 2nd Lt Butter Bar. After graduating from OCS, he was an Infantry Officer, an Air Defense Officer, and then Operations Officer with the rank of Major O4. Joe graduated from Command and General Staff College then the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He commanded an Air Defense Battery as Operations Officer at Santa Fe National Guard. He was involved in three civil disturbances, one prison riot Santa Fe Prison and one insurrection at Tierra Amarilla. He flew an air plane SEL fixed wing and jumped out of one only once he said. About his military experiences, Joe stated I had many friends, I learned a lot, and I thank God for allowing me to serve my country. Joe was a true American patriot, a tradition continued by his children and grandchildren.
As a capitalist, Joe Trujillo owned and operated La Poblanita in Lovington, NM, a tortilla and Mexican food manufacturer, also operating under the name Trujillo Diversified Industries TDI in which other food was handled. His work force consisted of 52 for production and distribution to New Mexico, Texas, and 8 other states. La Poblanita had great products including the Super Chip, a tradition now carried on by his son, Michael A. Trujillo, at El Charro Mexican Foods in Roswell, NM. The Smithsonian Institute displayed his Don Joses Salsa in 1985 in Washington and a major food trade magazine wrote a story about the business. In November of 1989, the Association of Commerce and Industry of NM bestowed one small business with a winning award, honoring La Poblanita. He was also awarded the Governors Business Recognition of State Viva Award in Albuquerque.
Joe Trujillo was a civil servant. He served as Vice President of the NM Federation of Independent Businesses NMFIB. He served as President on the Lovington School Board, was past director of the Lovington Chamber of Commerce, served as Executive of Job Training Coordinating Council of NM in 1983 for Governor Tony Anaya, president of Region VI Housing Authority, and a director of New Mexico Military Institute Alumni Association. Joe Trujillo proudly served on the Nor Lea Hospital Board in Lovington, a rural hospital he proclaimed as outstanding. In addition, he served as executive on the Crime Stoppers Commission for the state of NM, Chairman of the Head Start Program in Lovington. He served as a Boy Scout Leader in Lovington and Scout Leader and Explorer Unit in Roswell. He served as chairman of Senator Schmitt Selection Board for candidates to the American Military Academies, vice chair of the Democratic Central Committee in Lea County, member of Oddfellows Post 441100
F, a third degree knight of the Knights of Columbus, was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church, commanded a Civil Air Patrol Unit in Lovington, was a member of the NRA and last of all, served as Commander of the American Legion, Post 28 in Roswell. Of his civil service record, Trujillo said All was not easy. I had my ups and downs but I credit my God, my family and my friends for supporting me throughout the years. Thats why I was able to accomplish so much.
Of his personal life, Joe said I married a beautiful woman, my wife, Anna Maria Saldivar Trujillo and we raised four beautiful children together. Joe is survived by his son, Michael A. Trujillo local Business Owner of El Charro Mexican Foods and former County Commissioner and his wife Mireya RISD Principal, daughter JoeAnna Trujillo Bueno Director of Juvenile Justice Alternative Education and husband Carlos US Coast Guard, son David A. Trujillo City Commissioner and former Lovington Mayor and wife Maria, and daughter Sandra Trujillo Valles Recovery Coordinator, US Marine Corp and husband Erasmo US Department of Defense. Joe said My wife Anna, then went her way. I guess you can only put up with so much but I loved her very much. She made me a good wife. She helped operate the business and was a City Commissioner for Lovington Later on I met my second wife. She was good looking but I guess she could not see very well because she married me Catalina Arenas Trujillo. She came with two small children: Lucy Arenas Acosta and Manuel Moreno. I accepted the whole package as it should be. They had a son, Eduardo A. Trujillo, a boy scout and RISD student. He is also survived by his Aunt Blanche Stevens, cousins Yolanda Edgett and Clifford Romero, 17 grandchildren and 1 greatgrandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Now you may think this cannot be but, I have had 75 years to do this and not all at the same time I had many goals, including operating my own business, building my own adobe home, and I had family and friends that helped me along the way. All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. I loved my country and my Catholic faith, as I did my family. My last request is that you pray for me and pray for my family.
Pall bearers are: Lt. Col. Paul Trujillo son of Arthur Trujillo, Ty Snow son of Sandra Trujillo Valles, Specialist Michael A. Trujillo, II and Linda Trujillo son and daughter of Michael A. Trujillo, Sr., Gus Trujillo Jr. son of Gus Trujillo and Manuel Moreno son of Cata Trujillo. Honorary pall bearers are Ralph Fresquez, Captain John Ray Glover grandson, Guadalupe Baeza brother in law and Noel Arenas brotherinlaw. Eulogy will be given by Michael A. Trujillo and David Trujillo.

Joe Trujillo, prepared his own obituary with his final request that his family complete the final process.
To our Papo: When you were born, you cried and your family rejoiced. You lived your life in a manner that now at its end, although we cry, we celebrate your life. And in your passing, we rejoice. Our Papo is in heaven, forever loved and missed. Rest in Peace, Grandpa Joe.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, September 8, 2012
8:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, September 10, 2012
10:00 am

Rosary

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88202
Sunday, September 9, 2012
7:00 pm

Cemetery

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