Ernesto Baca Garcia passed away at the age of 62 on July 30, 2024 after he peacefully lost his battle with cancer.
Ernesto and his twin sister, Carol, were born at Hillcrest General Hospital in Silver City, New Mexico on September 23, 1961 to the late Ernesto D. and Carolina B. Garcia. Ernesto, also known by friends and family as "Ernie", was a lifelong resident of Bayard. He graduated from Cobre High School in 1980 where he joined track and field. That became one of his passions. He would jog along Highway 180 from Bayard, through Arenas Valley, and back again. You might have been one of many who honked or waved as you passed him along the way. In 1982, he enrolled in a trade school in El Rito, New Mexico and received a trade certification for butcher. His passion for karate began in high school. At the age of 23, he became a 1st degree black belt. By the age of 30, he had become a 2nd degree black belt. Throughout those years, he became an instructor and shared his passion with his students. He was a good, hardworking man. He was employed at Phelps Dodge Corporation for seven years. He retired from Gila Medical Regional Center last year where he worked for twenty- one years. He married his wife, Martha, in 1998.
He was a devoted father to his daughters, Renatta and Antonia Garcia. He enjoyed attending local little league games in his younger years. As a diehard fan, he was always seen wearing his 49ers cap. He was always walking around with a big smile on his face. He enjoyed being outdoors, doing yardwork, or just taking leisurely walks. We will always remember Ernie as a kind, gentle soul who greeted you with his genuine big smile, his joyous giggle, and heartfelt love. He was beloved by all who knew him because he always put others before himself. He showed us that no matter what challenges you faced in life, you needed to be grateful for every day that God granted you.
He will be missed dearly by his wife, Martha Garcia, his daughters, Renatta and Antonia Garcia, his siblings Mary Emma Garcia Medina, Rufina Garcia Ayala, Erlinda Baca Garcia, Carolina (Carol) Garcia Nathasingh, and Paul Baca Garcia, his nephews James Medina, Jesse Medina, Elijah Medina, Alan Ayala, Aaron Ayala, Eric Salas, Mathew Carbajal and nieces Allyssa Medina, Kimberly Carbajal and Anjelica Salas and a great niece Kaylee Castillo.
A viewing will be August 8, 2024 from 4-6pm at Baca's Funeral Chapel in Silver City, New Mexico. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels. The Prayer Vigil and Rosary will be recited on August 9, 2024 at 10 o'clock and Mass will be at 10:30am located at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Bayard, Mew Mexico. Burial will be at Santa Clara Cemetery immediately following the mass service. Officiating will be Father Martin Okonkwo.
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