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RODOLFO “RUDY” M. TRUJILLO, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed away peacefully November 9, 2025. He was born December 19, 1934, in the small farming community of Garfield, New Mexico to Telesfora (Lita) Medina Trujillo and Rafael Trujillo. He was the third child and first son out of 13 children. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sisters, Candida Torrez and Alicia Guerra, and his brother, Raul Trujillo. He is survived by his beloved wife, Erlinda Trujillo, daughters, Cynthia Sanchez (Alfonso) and Christine Trujillo, and his son, Rodolfo Trujillo, Jr. (Richard); grandchildren Christine Hinojos (Michael), Stacy Reyes (Fernando), Ramon Sanchez (Kathleen), and Lorena Lozano (Alejandro); and great-grandchildren Julian Legarreta, Mykayla Legarreta, Caillin Reyes, Liliana Sanchez, Nina Sanchez, Magdalena Sanchez and Alejandro Lozano, Jr. His family was his pride and joy, and he especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.He is also survived by his sisters, Lydia Lozano (Gabriel), Jean Olivas (Mike), Lupe Haack (Jerry), Mary Espinosa (George), Carol Olivas (Frank), Lita Tafoya (Gilbert), brothers, Enrique Trujillo (Patsy), David Trujillo (Martha-deceased), Robert Trujillo (Donna), and many nieces and nephews.As a young boy, he worked alongside his father and brothers doing farming, carpentry, and cement work. He was proud of coming from many generations of blacksmiths who were among the first in the Hatch Valley area. He met his future wife, Erlinda, in elementary school and they were eventually married on July 1, 1956. The skills he learned from working with his father helped him to build a home for his family where he lived until recently. He was a man of great faith and love for his family and a passion for education. He served on the Hatch Valley school board for many years and worked hard to ensure that a good education was provided for all the students in the district. He also served on the Doña Ana Community College advisory board and was recognized by the Board of Regents of New Mexico for being instrumental in establishing the college. After serving on the Board, he continued to support the community college in all its endeavors and promote education for all youth. His outstanding service was appreciated by the educational institutions and his community. Rudy was very proud of the educational achievements of all his family.He worked at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) for almost 30 years. He was a Photo-Optics Engineering Technician and worked during a period when many major missiles used today were being developed and tested at WSMR. Rudy was advanced in his knowledge of photographing missiles and trained many of his co-workers and supervisors in the evolving technology. He was recognized by the Department of the Army for modifying and improving the equipment that was used.After retiring from WSMR in 1985, he opened J&J Auto Center in Garfield and served the area for 15 years. Then, at the age of 73, he attended the community college he helped to establish, obtained his GB-98 Contractor’s license, and worked throughout the Hatch Valley and Las Cruces areas. He was a model for all who knew him to never stop learning. There will be a viewing, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2 PM with a rosary to follow at 3 PM at Baca’s Funeral Chapel, 300 E. Boutz Road. The viewing will be live streamed by the funeral home. The Memorial Mass and Inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date.THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT PEOPLE WEAR A COLOR OTHER THAN BLACK TO THE SERVICES.Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial

Rodolfo M. "Rudy" Trujillo

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