Antonio José “Gunner” Trujillo, Jr., a longtime Springer resident, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Albuquerque, after courageously fighting a long-term illness. He entered eternal peace early Wednesday morning, February 11, 2015. Antonio was born in Springer, New Mexico, March 18, 1943, to the union of Antonio Trujillo and Ruth Chávez. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, relative, and friend to many.
Antonio retired and remained in Springer after a long and successful, professional career in education and juvenile corrections. A 1961 graduate of Springer high school, he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Spanish at New Mexico Highlands University. Later, he completed a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education at New Mexico State University. He also completed an Educational Administrative Certificate at the University of New Mexico.
One of the many achievements of his professional career was carried out when he worked for the Home Education Livelihood Program as Director of Early Childhood Education for migrant and rural families in New Mexico. He was involved in the development of daycare and early childhood centers for children from these families throughout the rural sector of New Mexico. The highlight of this program was an annual “Niños Festival” held in Albuquerque, where these children attended as active participants in numerous language, music, dance and other cultural activities that represented their rich cultural and historical heritage and experience in New Mexico.
Antonio closed out his professional career at the New Mexico Boy’s School, where he taught, directed federal educational projects, and served as Assistant Principal. Through federal funding and other sources he acquired for the New Mexico Boys School, he developed special projects and educational programs for youth. Through some of his efforts, many of these young men were able to develop their special talents in art, music and other areas. They were able to host activities and creative displays that demonstrated and promoted their special talents. These special projects were many times shared with the general public. Antonio successfully applied for the first ever bilingual-education grant awarded to a juvenile correctional facility in the United States.
Antonio also taught college courses in history and sociology and general education development (GED) for Luna Community College after retirement.
Antonio Trujillo Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws and many other relatives and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita Mae; his daughter Ruth Ann and husband, Eric Gonzales; his sons Antonio José III and wife, Roberta, and José Antonio. He is also survived by this loving brother John Lisle, many other close relatives and friends.
Antonio was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph Parish in Springer, where funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, February 17. Services will commence at 10:00am with the Most Holy Rosary recited by Albert Portillos, followed by the Solemn Mass of Resurrection at 10:30am.
Pallbearers for the services will be: Marc Arellano, Isidro Bernal Jr., Nathaniel Gonzales and Craig Eppler. Honary Pallbears will be his special friends and cousins: Joe “Popich” Apodaca, Anselmo F. Arellano, Edward “Polo” Arellano, Edward Arellano, Jr., Richard Floersheim, Eugene García, Ronnie García, Eugene Gonzales, Zita López, Chris Madrid, Frank Mora, Rick Mora, Samuel Roy, Milton Torres, Rick Sandoval, and Dan Vigil
he was a great man matter fact he was the reason why I got my GED and Springer at the boys school in 1994 and condolences to his family and friends I remember him because of his name gunner so sorry for the loss