Dan Richard Trujillo

Daniel Ricardo Trujillo was born in 1948 to Adelaido Trujillo and Demetria Montoya Trujillo in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Daniel transitioned on January 31st, 2024, while resting at his home in Mesilla, New Mexico.

Baptized and confirmed in 1948 at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Las Vegas, Daniel Ricardo made his first Holy Communion at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Albuquerque.

He attended the public schools of Albuquerque and graduated from Sandia High School where he was a state champion wrestler. After high school, he attended Eastern New Mexico University and earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of New Mexico, where he also earned a master’s degree in counseling, and Ohio University where he earned a second Master’s degree in Telecommunications.

As a radio and television producer, filmmaker, and educator, Daniel Ricardo worked in public broadcasting stations KUNM and KNME in Albuquerque and KRWG in Las Cruces. He also taught at New Mexico State University. He will be remembered for the ways he impacted the students he taught and the communities he served. He was a talented writer and producer, notably winning an Emmy in 2006 for his documentary, Crossing.

Daniel Ricardo, known to many of his close friends as “Kid Rico” was always quick to joke and will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of boxing first, with baseball a close second. He was never one to shy away from conversation or good food. His frequent statement, “The past and future are diminished by the presence of the now” reflects how he lived his life. He lived the majority of his years in New Mexico, and in his heart he loved Mesilla most of all.

After retiring, he combined his passions and wrote for boxing publications. This led him to travel to Mexico, and around the US covering fights. He was known for perfect accuracy when comparing his scorecard to the judges. His love of boxing came from his father, Adelaido, who had been a boxer as a youth.

Daniel Ricardo is preceded in death by his father, Adelaido Trujillo; his mother, Demetria Montoya Trujillo; his sister, Lucille Johnson; and his nephew, Erik Johnson.

Daniel is survived by his five daughters with Mary Adams Trujillo: Elaine Amber Trujillo (Steve) McClure, Lara Trujillo (Jonathan) Webb, Gabriela Trujillo Williams, Anika Trujillo, Siembra (Glynne) Trujillo; two siblings, Edwin Trujillo and Judy Trujillo Payne; nine grandchildren (Steven, Ysabel, Harrison, Jackson, Mikailah, Lila, Glynne, Leone, Myles), one great grandchild (Grace), and countless cousins, and friends.