Ralph Charles Trejo 1915 - 2009

MESA - Ralph Charles Trejo, 93, formerly a longtime Casa Grande businessman and leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died peacefully in his sleep on April 16, 2009 in Mesa.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bunker Mortuary, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa, and before the service Wednesday, beginning at 10 a.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Gilbert Highland Stake Center, 3580 E. Houston Ave. in Gilbert.

Mr. Trejo was born Sept. 9, 1915 in Benson, a son of Jared J. Trejo and Edith A. McRae. He spent much of his youth in St. David, leaving about the time of his 18th birthday to serve an LDS mission. He was called to serve in the East Central States Mission, where he eventually became district president. In 1940 he joined the Naval Air Corps, becoming a pilot. He served during World War II, until October 1945, and attained the rank of lieutenant commander. He was awarded several citations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple Heart.

On July 12, 1941 he married Edna Cardon in Alice, Texas. After the war he moved to Tucson, completing schooling at the University of Arizona and working for Shell Oil Co. In 1955 he bought the Shell bulk plant in Casa Grande. He and his family remained in the community for many years, and he founded Trejo Oil Company, which still is operated by his two sons.

Among other responsibilities he served as a church bishop for 13 years in Casa Grande. Upon retiring, he devoted 11 years to service in his church. Included were seven missions in the United States, Switzerland, Germany and the Philippines. Even though these missions included positions of mission president and temple presidency, he particularly enjoyed his years as an ordinance worker in the Mesa Temple. After 45 years in Casa Grande, he and his wife moved with some of their children to Gilbert. He was devoted to his family.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Jon of Gilbert and Jerry of Mesa; two daughters, Vicki McEuen of Casa Grande and Pam Oborn of Provo, Utah; a brother, Alfred Trejo of St. David; three sisters, Pearl Martineau and Garnet Standage of Mesa and Opal Brimhall of Prescott; 21 grandchildren; and 58 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson.