Ernest J. Baca Jr.

Obituary for Ernest J. Baca Jr. (83)

Dr. Ernest J. Baca Jr. was born on May 27, 1934 in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Ernesto and Delphine Baca. Ernest passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at his home in Edinburg, Texas at the age of 83. He was a resident of Edinburg for 40 years, was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and member of the Knights of Columbus. Ernest attended St. Michael’s School for 12 years, where he graduated valedictorian of his class. He earned his BS in Chemistry from the College of Santa Fe, his MS from Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM and a PhD from the University of New Mexico. He was awarded a fellowship to teach chemistry at the University of Tegucigalpa in Honduras, where he met the love of his life, Edith Diaz, who was also on a fellowship teaching biology. They married and moved to accept another fellowship to teach at the University of Quito in Ecuador. When they returned to the U.S., he served as a professor of sciences at the College of Santa Fe and subsequently at the University of Texas Pan American, now called University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). There he later became Dean of Math and Sciences and served as acting Provost. During that tenure, he also served on a panel of advisors to the National Institute of Health. Dr. Baca retired from a long, illustrious career with the title of Professor Emeritus at UTRGV.

Ernest lived and enjoyed life to its fullest. He will be dearly missed by his family and those that came to know him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Edith Diaz Baca; parents Ernesto and Delphine; brother, Gilbert and wife Marie; sister, Rita and husband Rudy.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Ernest and his wife, Yamiletl; grandchildren Ethen Baca, Cody Arnold and Noah Baca; and his siblings, Edward (Rita), Robert (Lori), and Sam (Rita) Baca.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 6:00 PM, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM at the Rivera Funeral Home, Kiva Chapel on 417 E. Rodeo Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Cathedral Basilica at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 21, with internment to follow at Rosario Cemetery.

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