Esequiel “Kelly” Emilio Baca (Ret. SSG)
Beloved brother, uncle & friend passed away on August 5, 2022 in Farmington New Mexico. Kelly was born on June 18, 1954 in Springerville, Arizona the oldest of three children to Esequiel (Boots) Baca and Amelia J. Baca. Kelly he was told his senior year he would not graduate so he proudly joined the United States Marines to serve his country. After boot camp he was sent to fight in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged. He was awarded 3 Bronze Stars for his heroic service in a combat zone among other awards. Kelly came home and worked as a construction worker like his father before him. In 1980 Kelly joined the Army National Guard with the 1404th Trans Co first in Springerville and then out of Show Low Arizona. He was a Staff Sargent in his unit when they were sent to Desert Storm, Kelly was the last in his unit to come home from Desert Storm.
Kelly was a very proud lifetime- member of both the VFW and the American Legion. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Farmington NM. Kelly was an avid horseman, he was an old soul he loved and collected many old cars in his lifetime, Kelly loved listening to the “oldies.” Kelly if you knew him, you knew him to be a very quiet man who kept to himself, he had many friends mostly brothers and sisters along his lifetime, he was heroic, kind, loving, genuine, always had a funny saying to say, and he was an amazing dancer. He was a Proud Marine who fought for the freedoms for all of us and the US Flag. He never thought twice about going to war he said once “I would go again, I’m not scared.”
Kelly is survived by his brother Fernando Baca (Eagar Az) his nephew Kainan (Brenda)Baca (great- nieces Brises & Aeriella Odessa TX) His sister Abbey (Dean) Walker nieces Fallon Walker, Eagar Az Tonya (Brendan) Cluff (great- nieces & nephews (Brandon, Kaydin, Brielle, Jaxon, Brynlee,& Kellin Snowflake) Nephew Dino (Melody)Walker (great-nieces and nephew (Raelie, Clover, & Nicolas Springerville) all of whom he loved dearly.
Kelly is preceded in death by his parents and niece Kelley Rochelle Baca.
Services will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Springerville, Az. Rosary will be held Monday, October 24, 2022 @ 6:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2022 @ 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Disabled American Veterans in Kelly’s honor. This is an organization near and dear to his heart.
Kelly is in the care of Farmington Funeral Home.
To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Esequiel Baca, please visit our flower store.
Published by Farmington Funeral Home on Aug. 23, 2022.
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