John B. Trujillo

John B. Trujillo (88)– Long time resident of Nambe, NM was born in Jaconita, NM on October 16, 1935, and passed away at his home in Nambe, NM surrounded by his family on November 12, 2023, after a lengthy illness.  

He was preceded in death by his grandson James A. Ortiz.  His parents Pedro Salomon Trujillo and Eloisa R. Trujillo of Jacona, Mother and Father-in-law Juanita B. and Jose Remigio Valdez of Nambe. He was also preceded in death his brothers Pat Trujillo (Rachel), Willie Trujillo (Bennie), Orlando Trujillo, Martin Trujillo, and sister Cecilia Wood (Jerry), his brothers-in-law Benancio Valdez (Viola), Valentine Valdez (Fermina) Hilario Valdez (Lucrecia), Bobby Quintana, Danny Valdez and sisters in-law Ruby Roybal (Jose), Dolores Barry (Eligio), Ambrosia Hutt (John).

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Anna “Aneda” V. Trujillo, his six children Earl Lloyd Trujillo (Yolanda) of La Cienega, NM, Gloria Witherspoon (Reese) of Albuquerque, NM, Julianna Trujillo (Tim) of Jacona, NM, John Bryan Trujillo of Houston, TX, Eric T. Trujillo   (Regina) of Albuquerque, NM and Stephen Trujillo (Chastity) of La Mesilla, NM. He is also survived by his Grandchildren, Jessica Trujillo (Jake), Lynette Trujillo (Delfie), Antoinette Trujillo, Amanda Tavarez (Ray), Stephanie Lujan, Julian Lujan, Matthew Trujillo, Rachel Trujillo, Logan Vigil, and Tasha Sanchez as well as his five great grandchildren, Raymond Tavarez, Daniel Tavarez, I’ Essa Ortiz, Santiago Ortiz, Elijah Ortiz.  His brothers Tony Trujillo, Jake Trujillo (Diane) sister Mary Quintana, sisters in law Loyola Trujillo, Annabelle Pando, Norma J. Valdez and 50 nieces and nephews as well as a close family friend Mai Quintana.  Grand pets Azlan, Ollie, and Mafi.

If anyone asked him “How are you doing?”  Smiling from ear to ear, his response was always “Handsome as ever.” His passion was his career in drywall that spanned over 45 years.  He never saw drywall as a job, to him it was a hobby and enjoyed pleasing people.  This is where he earned the title of “King of Drywall.”  He believed that the perfect finished wall required no sanding of the dried mud and he considered himself to be the master of knockdown brocade ceiling texture. He was also known as Mr. Cadillac or Johnny Cadillac.  

1954 he left for California with his wife Anna where he worked on residential homes and movie sets. Upon his return to Albuquerque, he continued growing his career in drywall.  When he relocated to Nambe, he continued commuting daily to Albuquerque in his pride and joy, his signature car, a Cadillac with a monogrammed front license plate displaying his initials “JBT” and a crucifix on the rear-view mirror or dashboard.

One could set their watch on the weekend by the schedule he kept.   That included a Saturday trip to The Downs at Santa Fe, to play the ponies and place his first bets on the Daily Double.  He never purchased a race form, only a program.    The evenings were spent watching the cornfield comedy of HEE HAW or a stage filled with bubbles as he watched the Lawrence Welk Show while enjoying Popular music, Polkas, Novelty songs and traditional Big-Band. 

Sundays included Sunday Mass at Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Catholic Church in Nambe, watching the World Wrestling Federation on TV with breakfast, a quick stop at The Downs in Santa Fe and off to Albuquerque for live WWF Wrestling.  If he was attending a wedding reception, graduation party or any other event with live music, when Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” was played he was the first on the dance floor.  After retiring, he participated actively in various activities at the El Rancho Senior Citizen Center for over 20 years.   He would call bingo, learned about ceramics, and worked on crafting tin artwork.  

Serving as pallbearers, Julian Lujan, Matthew Trujillo, Daniel Tavarez, Raymond Tavarez, Logan Vigil, and Kevin Fernández.  Serving as honorary pallbearers Eddie Herrera, José Ramón Ortiz, and Phillip Lujan.

The family of Juan Trujillo extends their heart felt gratitude to Mai Quintana of the Nambe Pueblo Senior Center, all of the healthcare professionals Christus St. Vincent’s Oncology, Nexus Health oncologist Dr. Scott Herbert, MD and staff (formerly Christus St. Vincent Oncology,) and Anvoi Hospice Care.   We also want to thank all of the friends and family that paid him visits in the hospital and during the last month at his home.   You may not know it, but the time that he spent with all of you, lifted his spirits and determination to battle his illness.

A rosary will be recited at De Vargas Funeral Home on Monday, November 20,2023 at 6:00 pm. Public visitation will start at 5:00 pm.  The mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 10:00 am at the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Catholic Church in Nambé, NM and interment will follow at the Pojoaque Cemetery. 

The family of Juan Trujillo has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477