Arthur Benjamin Trujillo was the youngest of 5 siblings, born in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1939 to Demostenes Joseph and Marie Trujillo. He grew up on Railroad Avenue and went by the nickname "Manny." He attended Immaculate Conception School and, later, Highlands University.

After high school, Art worked locally for The Optic as a reporter and later for the Gallup Independent. In 1966 he married Bonnie Coppock, from Springer. Although he lived much of his life in Las Vegas, NM, Art had brief teaching assignments in Zuni, and Cuba, New Mexico. He studied English Literature at the University of Virginia and later, he studied Journalism at the University of Missouri. He did some work at newspapers around Chicago.

Art had a great sense of humor and could make just about anyone laugh. He brought his humor and keen powers of observation to every aspect of his life.

Art's connection with Las Vegas was bookended by time at The Optic, where he worked as a boy delivering papers, and again in retirement where, for many years, he penned a regular column called "Work of Art" which alternated between reflections about growing up in Las Vegas and in-depth explorations of the English language and vocabulary.

Art was a professor of Mass Communications at Highlands University for 29 years, where, in addition to sharing his knowledge, he entertained his students with regular features in his lectures, like imaginary lunch menus. His office door was unlike any other; completely covered by inadvertently funny newspaper headlines from all over the country.

Later, as computers were incorporated into education, he added Desktop Publishing to his course offerings. This combination of technology and his passion for words led him to create a database of William Shakespeare quotes called "Great Shakes."

Art's contributions and history in Las Vegas made him a minor celebrity in town, causing family members to jokingly complain that it took ages to run errands because every 20 steps someone would come up and tell him they fondly remembered taking his classes or that they enjoyed his latest column.

Art will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and fans. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, sons Adam, Diego, and Benjamin, daughters in law Connie and Heather, grandchildren Arthur, Carly, Celina, Ellen, June, and Henry, and great-grandchildren Leo and Vaughan and their mother Siah.

Art is also survived by his three sisters, Dolores Hagen, Dorothy Maestas, and Evangeline Romero. He was preceded in death by his brother Severino Trujillo.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. at First United Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, N.M.

If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to First United Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, N.M. 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book