Orlando Trujillo

Orlando Blas Benedicto Casaus Trujillo, age 95, of Clovis, New Mexico entered into the God's eternal glory on Sunday, June 18, 2017. He was born on March 12, 1922 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico to the home of Juan Martinez Casaus and Albinita Mendez Casaus. His mother passed away after giving birth to twins. In 1924 his aunt and uncle Frutoso and Jene M. Trujillo adopted him and they raised him as their own. He went to school in Guadalupe, New Mexico where the school taught grades 1st through 8th. He helped his dad, Frutoso with ranch work and cultivation of the crops. He also helped herding sheep about the age of 7 after school and with the lambing, shearing, and raising the doggies that didn't have mama sheep to take care of them. In 1938, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico up until September 1939. He returned home to help his dad and he realized that his parents needed more financial help and went back and joined another CC Camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he was stationed from September 1940 to October 1941. He returned home once again since the camps had a limit of 2 years. His intentions were to join the Army and soon as he could and finish helping his dad at the ranch. Finally, in November 1942 he received a letter from Uncle Sam and was inducted into service in Santa Fe, New Mexico and then sent to Ft. Bliss, Texas where he spent 3 weeks before being transferred to the Eagle Pass, Texas Army Air Field where he was with the Detachment Medical Department. He took training as a medic and also trained in Army shooting. He also served as a Military Police, was a sharp shooter with a 45 pistol and an M1 rifle.

While stationed in Eagle Pass he met the love of his life, Escolastica (Mary) Hernandez and on April 4, 1943 they were married. In 1944, he was given notice that he was being transferred to the Army and would be moved. He then asked his wife if she would move with his parents in Guadalupe, New Mexico until he would be discharged. She agreed and she left in December that same year. He was sent to Camp Howie in Gainesville, Texas. He received more training and was called to serve in the 69th Infantry Division, Company C, 1st Battalion, 271 Regiment. He was injured in battle which ended his dream of retiring from the Army and was discharged on December 31, 1945.

He returned to the ranch in Guadalupe, New Mexico and in 1946 he moved his family to Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. He worked at the Chevrolet dealership sanding cars. He filled out tickets for the body shop and was asked by the bookkeeper if he would be interested in helping the bookkeeper because he liked his penmanship. He began to work for him and became a bookkeeper. He sold cars and after several years he contracted a mail route and did that for 37 years. In 1961, he bought his own farm. During this time, he also did public service work. He became a deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Ft. Sumner Irrigation District where he served for 35 years. He also served in the local SCS office and FHA for several years. He became a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served as the first secretary for 10 years. He also served as president when it originated in Ft. Sumner and to this day is still a Charter member. He is also a Charter member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Grand Knight. He served K of C as secretary for over 10 years and was the BINGO Manager for over 20 years. He is a life member of the DAV and has been a member of the American Legion since 1946 and served as a Service Officer.

He was awarded the Rhineland and Central Europe Medal, African Middle Eastern Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal with 2 bronze stars, American Theater Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Sharp Shooter on 30 carbine, M1 Rifle, and 45 caliber pistol.

Orlando is survived by his loving wife Escolastica (Mary) Trujillo of the home; his children, Janie (Eluterio) Cortez, Mario (Vivian) Trujillo, Aurora (Jim) Mares, Esther (Robert) Aragon, Margaret (Lee) Eggleston, Moise Trujillo, Kay (Robert) De Los Santos, Matthew Trujillo, Debbie (Scott) Alexander, and Abbie (Steve) Salguero; 22 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren (one on the way); and 24 great-great grandchildren (two on the way). He is also survived by two brothers, Manuel Trujillo, and Fred Trujillo, and one sister Josie Merrifield. He is preceded in death by both sets of parents, and numerous brothers and sisters from both the Trujillo and Casaus side.

Recitation of the Rosary will be on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 1:30pm followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00pm. Interment will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Honor. Serving as Pall Bearers are, Gerald Gallegos, Larry Gallegos, Orlando Enriquez, Mario Trujillo II, James Mares, Robert "Joseph" Aragon, Jason Martin, Justin Martin, and Chris De Los Santos. Honorary Pall Bearers are Eluterio Cortez, Jim Mares, Robert Aragon, Lee Eggleston, Robert De Los Santos, Scott Alexander, Steve Salguero, and All his grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Steed-Todd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, NM (575) 763-5541. You may sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com.

Visitation

Public Viewing

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
800 E. Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Monday, June 19, 2017
9:00am to 8:00pm

Public Viewing

Steed-Todd Funeral Home
800 E. Manana Blvd.
Clovis, NM  88101
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
9:00am - 8:00pm

Service

Recitation of the Rosary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
911 N. Merriwether St
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
1:30pm

Mass of Christian Burial

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
911 Merriwether
Clovis, NM  88101
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
2:00pm