Joe Ben Trujillo, age 81, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2016 in Delta, Utah. He was born on April 15, 1935 in Taos, New Mexico, the first born child of Abnecio and Cora Olonia Trujillo. He grew up in Taos with his 5 brothers: Gilbert, Manuel, Lee, Samuel and Frank; and sister: Corrine. At 16, Joe’s family moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he graduated from Lincoln High School. Joe went to work in the “Lucky” grocery store. In 1958, he was drafted into the US Army. He served in Germany. He fondly recalled that Elvis Presley was serving there at the same time. He returned home from his honorable service in 1960, at when back to work at the “Lucky” as the Deli manager.
Joe married Esperanza Gonzalez Linares on October 30, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. They made their home in Los Angeles until he retired from Lucky grocery store in 1979. Joe moved to Delta in 1979 to assist his family in their catering truck business, during the construction of I.P.P.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Catholic Church, and served many years in the St. John Bosco Church congregation in Delta. Joe loved fishing, hunting, farming, and riding horses. He helped with organizing the rodeos in Hinckley, Nephi, and Delta; and volunteered many hours assisting during the Millard County Fair. He had a very friendly attitude and was always their to help anyone.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years: Esperanza; 5 siblings; niece: Ruth Trujillo; nephews: Christopher Trujillo and Steven Cook; sister-in-law: Teresa Trujillo. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother: Samuel Trujillo.
Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 8, at 11:30 a.m., at the St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 96 S. Center St, Delta. A viewing will be held Thursday at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 S. Center, 10:00-11:10 a.m., before traveling to the church. Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, in the Las Cruses Cemetery, Taos, New Mexico.