Ruperto Garcia Baldonado

1931- 2026 It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of our Precious Father, Ruperto Garcia Baldonado, age 95, a former resident of Barstow, CA, and current resident of Bosque, NM. Services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church (where Ruperto was a member of the congregation, choir member, lector, usher, and groundskeeper) on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, beginning with a Visitation at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 11:30 a.m., with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. Ruperto is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Flora Dominguez Baldonado; children Maryann (Robert), Mark, Paul, Steven, & Maryagnes (Adam); 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; siblings, Arturo (Louisa), Sylvia Garcia, Martín (Emily), and Felix (Cheryl), as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Remigio and Avelina Garcia Baldonado; son, Lorenzo Elroy Baldonado; brothers, Secundino, Preciliano, Arsenio, Jose Eliasim, Antonio, David, Guadalupe, and Miguel; and sisters, Reina Pino, Roseanna Cordova, Erlinda Garcia, and Mary Helen Baldonado. Ruperto was born and raised in Jarales, NM, along with his 16 siblings. At 19, Uncle Sam paid him a visit and drafted him to serve our country in the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1953. Ruperto served as a Forward Observer, with a Radio Operator by his side, on the frontline calling in fire on the enemy. On July 22, 1952, he was wounded in combat by a Mortar Round that almost took his life. Ruperto spent seven months in a Swedish hospital before being sent back out on the front line to continue his job. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and the U.N. Service Medal. Ruperto went back to Barstow, CA, in 1953 and was working at the Marine base when he met his wife of 72 years, Flora Dominguez Baldonado. He attended barber school in Los Angeles (Skid Row), CA, and returned to Barstow to practice his trade. Ruperto eventually owned his own barber shop located outside the Beacon Bowl in Barstow. He and his friend purchased a liquor store before he decided to move back to NM in 1977. Ruperto built a house in Bosque, NM, just a mile away from where he was born, and opened a barber shop at his house. He later worked at Pat’s Barber shop in Belen until he retired from cutting hair (54 years), all while farming his land. Ruperto was a very hard-working, fair, and well-respected man, always working hard to make sure people were always treated fairly. He always stood up for the underdog (little people). From registering people to vote, to making sure Veterans got recognized for their service. Ruperto had a dream to build a memorial for all Veterans that lost their lives fighting for their country. Ruperto and his wife (Flora), along with Sam Cordova and his wife (Stella), with the help of many supporters, worked hard to build this memorial. You can visit this Memorial at the Don Jose Dolores Cordova Cultural Center. If there is one word that describes our dad, that would be “Committed.” He will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle and cousin. WE LOVE YOU, POP! Please sign Ruperto’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Ruperto Garcia Baldonado

January 12, 1931 - April 24, 2026