Richard Baca

Richard Baca passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the age of 83. He died peacefully at home with his family by his side. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Albuquerque, NM. A rosary will be recited prior to the mass at 10:15 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque, NM. Richard was born November 3, 1938, in Springville, Arizona. At the age of 8 his family moved to Gallup, New Mexico. He attended Cathedral junior high and senior high schools receiving several accolades in football, basketball, and track, his proudest winning two State Football Championships. After graduating in 1957, Richard attended Ft. Lewis College for a brief time before returning to Gallup to marry his high school sweetheart Dorothy M. Martinez. Most of Richard’s career was spent in the oil refinery industry as a Human Resources Director retiring in 1991 from Giant Refinery. He was very civic minded enjoying his time as a little league coach, and a member of the Lions, Elks and Gallup Country clubs. He had a love for the great outdoors enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping. He passed his time listening to his Mexican music and watching the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and Notre Dame. Richard’s most treasured moments were times spent with his family and friends. Richard is survived by his daughters Sandra Lynne Gonzales {Arnold}, Lisa Jean Baca Diaz {Daniel}, son Mark James Baca Bramwell {Stephen}, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild and 4 God children. Sisters, Cathy Rios and Mary Ellen Baca. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy Marie, grandchildren Joseph Paul Gonzales and Michelle Rene Gonzales, his parents Manuel and Mollie Baca, brothers, James “Jim” and Arthur “Artie” Baca. Pallbearers will be his great grandsons, Isaac Baca and Adriel Chaidez. Honorary pallbearers his remaining grandchildren, Stephanee Baca, Monica Sandoval, Jenifer Gonzales, Shannon Murietta, Steven Gomez, Maria Gonzales, Elena Baca, Eva Chaidez, Alessandra Gonzales and Elijah Gutierrez. For more