Guillermo “Anthony” Baca

Guillermo “Anthony” Baca 

1951-2023  

Guillermo “Anthony” Baca, of Belen, passed away on Dec. 13, 2023, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease, at the age of 72.  

Services will be held at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., funeral service to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.  

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Ermelinda Baca (Jaramillo); daughters, of whom he was extremely proud, Lindsay Baca, Sidney Baca (Jarrad) and Elyssa Killough (Brad); and his cherished grandchildren, Haleigh Little, Melina Olivas, Micah Olivas, Lucas Bland and Saydee Killough.  

He is also survived by his sisters, Carmen Gomez (Las Vegas, N.M.) and Ida Chavez (Portales, N.M.); and brothers, Manuel (Erie, Colo.), Liborio (Portales, N.M.) and Victor Baca (Portales, N.M.).  

Guillermo is preceded in death by his parents, Petra Aurora and Senforoso Baca; sisters, Ventura Montoya and Casilda Sedillo; and brothers, Juan, Joe, Herman and Senforoso Andrew Baca.  

Anthony was born on May 21, 1951, in Las Vegas, N.M. He was the 11th of 12 children. Eventually, the family moved to Portales, N.M., where he attended Portales Schools. He completed his senior year in 1969 at Elida High School in Elida, N.M.  

During his senior year, Anthony lived on a working ranch that year and rodeoed as a calf roper. He was always proud of the buckle he won. After graduation, he relocated to Los Lunas and began working for Ken Kennedy Construction. While working, he attended TVI, where he received his draftsman certification and eventually passed the GB98 New Mexico Contractor License Exam and started Matador Construction Co.  

His company built and remodeled many residential homes up and down the Rio Grande Valley and many commercial buildings in the Permian Basin. His company was successful despite the challenges of 20 percent interest rates and the banks’ reluctance to loan money to build up the company.  

Anthony also served one year as an interim pastor for the Cornerstone Church. He also was employed by RAKS Building Supply, where he served as an assistant manager.  

Anthony and his wife, Ermelinda, met in Belen and married on July 12, 1974. They had three daughters and five grandchildren. He greatly loved all of them. His biggest regret was he could not be the grandpa he wanted to be due to his Parkinson’s Disease.  

Despite the disease, which presented many challenges for 20 years, Anthony adapted and was still able to live a full life.  

Anthony and Ermelinda traveled to many places. A few favorites were trips to Alaska, Oregon, California, Florida and Tahoe. As most of you know, Anthony was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. One of his favorite trips was to Chiefs kingdom, where he took a tour of Arrowhead Stadium and attended a football game.  

He also loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Anthony was a lifetime member of the NRA, the American Fishing Club and the North American Hunting Club. He loved spending time with his family and friends.  

Anthony leaves his family a legacy of strong faith in God, love, hard work, sacrifice and compassion. He will be greatly missed and definitely not forgotten. As he would often say, “It’s not goodbye; It’s see ya later.” 

The Baca family finds comfort in God’s promises and would like to thank everyone for their love, prayers and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation in Anthony’s memory at give.michaeljfox.org/donate. They are there until Parkinson’s isn’t.  

Please sign Guillermo’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.  

You can watch the services live stream at YouTube.com, search CCRGV Funeral and click on name or date.