Arnulfo Lujan Dominguez, 94, Las Cruces, NM passed away peacefully at his home on January 20, 2025.

On February 14, 1930, Arnulfo Dominguez was born to Elonercio Dominguez and Manuela Lujan in Buena Vista, Texas.  He spent most of his early childhood farming and ranching at numerous locations in south Texas along with his parents and nine siblings.  The family would later relocate to Artesia, NM where he spent his time farming and raising animals with the family.  He left school at an early age to help the family but later returned to earn his GED.  In 1952, he was drafted into the Army and spent time in combat during the Koreon War where he received three medals for his dedication and bravery.  He was Honorably Discharged in 1954 and returned to Artesia, NM to continue working on various farms. In 1955, he was hired by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department, first as a Survey Technician and later as a Construction Inspector.  Arnie, as he was fondly known by his co-workers, oversaw roadway and bridge construction throughout the state of NM, including portions of the original Interstate 25.  He spent a good portion of his career in eastern NM, eventually settling down in Roswell, NM.  He was well-respected amongst his co-workers and the contracting community and was always willing to share his knowledge about the field of roadway and bridge construction.  He retired from the NMSH&TD in 1987 after almost 32 years of dedicated service to the State of New Mexico.  He then went to work for Armstrong Construction Company as a Soils Lab Technician until he relocated to Las Cruces, NM in 1990.

Arnulfo was the kindest, most gentle person with a heart of gold who would help anyone in need.  He loved the outdoors and spent most of his life hunting and fishing in his spare time.  He always looked forward to the yearly deer hunts in the Guadalupe Mountains with numerous friends and family members.  He was a great hunter and would usually harvest his game on a yearly basis.  He also had a passion for fishing and spent his time at Caballo Lake, Elephant Butte Lake, and Bonito Lake where he would usually catch numerous fish.  He loved to take his family along, especially his grandchildren where he patiently taught them the skill of fishing.  He also enjoyed camping at Bonito Lake and Cloudcroft where he spent numerous summers with family and friends having a great time.

He had strong family values, a lighthearted sense of humor and was a devout Christian and loved spending time with his family, in particular his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He cherished the moments where he would watch them play numerous sports and other activities, always cheering them on.

Those left to eternally treasure and cherish his memory are his loving wife of 33 years, Linda, son, Alvin Dominguez, (Cynthia) daughters, Corina Avina, Celinda Gomez (Franco), stepdaughter, Sandra Ferrales Coe (Dan), stepson Sal Ferrales (Rose), mother of his children, Mary Dominguez, sisters Armida Florez, Nellie Alvarez, and Alicia Shivers along with 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren that he dearly loved and was fondly known to them as "Papa".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elonercio and Manuela Dominguez, son Ismael Dominguez, stepdaughter, Stella Ferrales, brothers Daniel, David, Felix, and Alberto Dominguez, sisters, Celia Guzman and Margie Valenzula.

Honored to serve as casket bearers are Anthony Dominguez, Jonathan Dominguez, Isaac Avina, Richard Ferrales, Gary Florez, Danny Alvarez, Matthew Dominguez, and Christian Analla.

Honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to the family and friends that have reached out for there loving care and support during the loss of such a great man.  In addition, many thanks to the nurses and staff of Mesilla Valley Hospice for their care and support along with his caregivers Irania Caro, Paloma Chavez, and Judith Jimenez.

A visitation for Arnulfo will be held on Thursday, February 06, 2025 starting at 6pm at Baca's Funeral Chapel, 300 East Boutz Road. A Prayer Vigil will follow at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 07, 2025, starting at 10am at the Cathedral of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1240 South Espina Street. Arnulfo will be laid to rest at Masonic Cemetery with Military Honors, 760 South Compress Road. A reception and gathering of fellowship will follow at the Elks Lodge, 3000 Elks Dr., Las Cruces, NM.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com