Pelagio "Coco" Campos

Pelagio “Coco” Campos, age 93, passed away unexpectedly at the Guadalupe County Hospital on August 20, 2011. Pelagio was born on September 12, 1917 in Puerto De Luna, NM to the home of Napoleon and Luisa (Valverde) Campos. He was reared and attended schools in Puerto De Luna and Santa Rosa. Pelagio served in the United States Army during WWII in the 82nd Airborne. He was recruited by what was then the CIA after watching him for 2 years and they selected him for a special espionage mission that involved being stationed in Alaska and spying on Russia. He was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge where 10 men went out at night including him and only 2 came back. He fought in the Battle of Arnheim in Holland where they blew up bridges and disabled Hitlers troops and kept them from invading Holland. His biggest thrill was that he and his men marched for Winston Churchill and as for their reward the Army gave them a months vacation at a castle that they had captured in Germany. He married Trinnie Baca on May 2, 1946 in Santa Rosa. Pelagio and Trinnie were long time cattle and sheep ranchers in the PDL and Pastura areas. He was also the owner of Square Deal Food Market for 17 years and after the war he worked for the First National Bank of Santa Rosa. Pelagio and Trinnie were faithful members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic. He was a charter member of the Gabriel J. Coury Council 5146 of the Kinights of Columbus, he served as a volunteer fireman in the 50’s and 60’s, served in the Board of Directors for the First National Bank and served on the Soil Conservation Board. Coco was the last of the “Old Time Cowboys” from Puerto De Luna. He ranched up until he was 83 years old. Pelagio was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. Pelagio is preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Dolores; his brothers, Gilbert Campos, Emery Campos and Louis Campos, his sister, Nila Sanchez and his son in law, Joe D. Trujillo. Survivors include his wife Trinnie of the family home in Santa Rosa; his daughter, Carmen Trujillo of Santa Rosa; grandchildren, Joseph Trujillo and wife Karen of Albuquerque, Dolores Trujillo of Albuquerque, Mario Trujillo and wife Sharla of Santa Rosa, Mona Lisa Trujillo and Adelaido Romero of Las Vegas, NM, Camilla Hoehne and husband Gerald of Albuquerque; great grandchildren, Ruben Trujillo, Aislyn Trujillo, Mario Trujillo, Jr., Tristin Trujillo, Jason Trujillo, Savannah Trujillo, Matthew Grubb, Matthew Hoehne, Kaitlyn Hoehne and Savannah Hoehne. Also surviving are his sister and brothers; Sister Marcella Campos of Albuquerque, Orlando Campos and wife Ann of Maryland, Max Campos and wife Eilleen of Virginia and Delia Flores of Santa Fe along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary services will be conducted on Tuesday, August 23, at 7:00 PM from St. Rose of Lima Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 24, at 9:30 AM also from St. Rose Church with Father Antonio Mondragon officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be, Alfredo Flores, George Dodge, Jr., E. M. Lucero, Benito Via, Joe A. Martinez and Arthur Campos. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be, Arthur “Peachy” Chavez, Arthur Gonzales, Jerry Rodgers, Arnold Gallegos, Alfred Baca, Arthur Baca and Dan Flores All services for Mr. Campos have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com