Joseph Howard Bagg (Joe), of Silver City, New Mexico, peacefully passed away at 81, surrounded by family and loved ones, on March 27, 2026, after his battle with Alzheimers.
Joe was born September 11, 1944, in Sacramento, California. He moved throughout the West with his parents, eventually settling in Alameda, California as a teenager, and then remained there until he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. After his short stint in the Army, serving in Germany, he returned to California working for Pacific Bell in Oakland for over 20 years. Joe retired from Pacific Bell, and then began working for high technology companies as a technical trainer. This role in technical training led him to encountering and falling for his wife, Virginia. Joe and Virginia married in 1996. After his retirement from technical training they moved to Silver City, where Virginia was raised. Joe loved Silver City and became a fixture in the community, always helping those around him and providing emotional and physical healing.
Joe volunteered at the Silver City Museum for many years, helping modernize their systems. Joe became a Reiki and Shamanic practitioner. His connections to those practices became an important part of his life.
His quest for knowledge and adventure inspired him to travel the world over, embracing all cultures, and went to several full-immersion courses to learn other languages. He would sit and read for hours, adding to his brilliant mind. Joe loved being outdoors and cared for all animals big and small. Spiders in the house were gently caught and then released outside. Joe enjoyed fixing things and spending time in his woodworking shop. He was an avid nature lover. His taste in music was eclectic, and he would frequently be the first out on the dance floor.
Joe was adored by his entire family, and is survived by his wife, Virginia Nañez, his four children Norman (Adrienne) Arellano, Laura (Dave) Provenza, Patrick (Jen) Bagg, and Yvette Arellano.
Joe was a loving Grandfather to 11 grandchildren: Sean Provenza, Hillary (Dillon) Hansen, Megan (Cody) Caropepe, Thomas (Zayra) Berrett, Blake (Lauren) Provenza, Tyler Bagg, Analis (Gevoni) Sanchez, Mikaela Sanchez (Kurt), Marcos Sanchez, Aidan Bagg, and Tharan Mark Griego. 7 great grandchildren, Rowen, Logan, Hudson, Emersyn, Rosalia, Kentrell and Henry.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents Blanche Bonnie Walsh and Howard Ivan Barnett Bagg, sister Myrna Sorensen and brother Robert Bagg.
Joe will be missed by his family, extended family, and every life that he touched.
