Juan C. Baca Sr.

1928-2014 Juan C. Baca Sr., age 86, passed away surrounded by his family after waiting 16 long years to join his beloved wife in Heaven. Juan was an active, instrumental and respected resident of Casa Colorada from his birth on January 27, 1928 until his death on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. He attended school at the Casa Colorada School House. Juan worked tireless to get the school house restored and an addition built so there would be a kitchen and bathrooms. The Casa Colorada Community Center was something he knew the community needed for events. Juan was also a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Casa Colorada and Tome. When the original church fell he helped build the current church. He cared for the church his whole life and maintained the cemetery cutting the weeds with a shovel and hoe until it got to be to much for an aging man. Juan proudly retired from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1988 after 38 years of outstanding service. Juan loved his family and friends. He enjoyed dancing, telling the history of Casa Colorada and cheering against the Dallas Cowboys. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Elena Torres Baca; children, Bernice and Luciano Baca; parents, Ramon and Dolores Serna Baca; father and mother-in-law, Escolastico and Noberta Lovato Torres; daughters-in-law, Christine and Shirley; and son-in-law, Larry Lucero. Juan is survived by his loving and caring children, Juan Jr. and wife, Maria, Ramon and wife, Marilyn, Estefana Montoya and husband, Gary, Robert and wife, Rosanne, Josefita Sandoval and husband, Ron, Phillip and partner, Lilia, Lori Martinez and husband, Richard, Angela Lucero, Paul, Joe and partner, Melissa, Carmelita, Brenda and Damacia; special niece, Lisa Sanchez Garcia and husband, Romaldo, 32 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; sister, Ernestina Montoya; sisters-in-law, Selina Sanchez and Dora Baca; and brother-in-law, Jose Rey Torres and wife, Lucy. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, on Sunday, April 27th at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. A Final Viewing will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome, on Monday, April 28th at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Father Jose Hernandez presiding. Interment will follow at Casa Colorada Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Juan Jr. Ramon, Robert, Phillip, Paul, and Joe Baca. Honorary Pallbearers are his daughters. Sign Juan’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main Street, Belen, NM

Juan C. Baca Sr.

January 27, 1928 - April 23, 2014