Larry Baca was born the youngest of six boys on July 24, 1956 in Albuquerque New Mexico to Blas Benedicto and Reyna Anna Baca (nee Salazar). Growing up in Los Alamos New Mexico, he graduated from Los Alamos High School, class of 1974, as a Hilltopper star athlete in football, baseball, track, wrestling, and basketball and remained a multisport advocate for the rest of his life. He attended Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in Portales, New Mexico, where he met the love of his life and best friend, Debra Marie Baca (nee Oldfield) on an oceanography trip to the Gulf of California, charming his way onto the trip and into Debbie’s life. In 1979, he left ENMU a Kappa Sigma brother, starting his teaching career alongside the woman he would love and cherish for nearly 40 years. The couple moved to Bloomfield, NM, where their son, Ben, was born and where Larry taught and coached for the Bloomfield Bobcats. They moved back to Los Alamos in 1984 where Larry returned to the Toppers. For nearly 3 decades, he taught and coached, raised his son, loved his wife, and hunted and fished the Jemez mountains. At age 53, he retired and spent the next 9 years serving as a model and hunting partner for his newlywed son, a hunting mentor, friend, and advisor to his oldest granddaughter and his daughter-in-law, a fun-loving grandpa to his youngest granddaughter and his grandson, and his wife’s steadfast companion and best friend. He was an equally-enthusiastic coach for mediocre, successful, and state-record-breaking track stars. He was teacher and coach of the year and hall-of-fame Hilltopper. He was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor. He was an avid hunter and hunting mentor, archer, marksman, and fisherman. He was a golfing partner, hiking and biking buddy, and adventure-loving friend. He was a loving and patient father, model husband, a father-in-law that anyone would envy having, and a brother you could turn to in your time of need. He was Larry, Coach Baca, Dad, Grumpa, Grumps, Hairy Larry, little brother, uncle, and husband. Above all, he was a follower of Christ, believing into Him and sharing that love freely to those around him. Just minutes before he ran into the waiting arms of God, he shared the following on Facebook: “Tell your kids...Jesus is the good news.” Larry was preceded in death by his father Ben B. Baca and his mother Reyna S. Baca Larry is survived by his loving wife,Debbie Baca; his son Ben Baca and his wife Lindsay; Grandchildren, Kourtney, Brooklyn, and Hunter; his siblings, Joe, Rick and wife Marlene, Billy and wife Terri, James, Fidel and wife Pat, Linda Grieder and husband Jeff, Teri Brown and husband Jeff; his Stepmother Evelyn Baca Maquire and husband Bill. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews;The Crossroads Bible Church body; Thousands of grateful athletes and students. Thank you, Mike Weaver, for leading Larry and Ben to Christ all those years ago. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019, 10:30 AM at the Crossroads Bible Church, 97 East Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544. A reception will follow with a light lunch for all. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: "Larry Baca Scholarship Fund" (501C3) at https://lapsfoundation.com" Or Young of Los Alamos, PO Box 505, Los Alamos, NM 87544 https://losalamos.younglife.org
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About |
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| Name | Larry Baca |
| Date of Birth | July 24th, 1956 |
| Date of Death | February 7th, 2019 |
| In Memoriam Donation | Larry Baca Scholarship Fund |
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Memorial |
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| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Los Alamos | |
| Address |
1627 A Central Avenue Los Alamos NM 87544 United States |
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published a tribute .
I only new Larry for a few days. He guided me on an elk hunt in the Valles Caldera in 2014. It's amazing how well you get know people in a few days on a hunt! He was a Christian and he lived it. We stopped to help a solo hunter pack out his elk. He talked about apples: and, how you never know what type of apple a seed will produce. He talked about LAHS and his family. The last day of the hunt, in the evening, we were driving back to camp. I was a little depressed because the hunt was over and I had missed an elk that I had a shot at earlier on that last day. All of the sudden, Larry spotted a bull! It was probably half a mile away. We stalked that bull on our hands and knees and I was able to make a good shot. The meat was amazing and that mount hangs in my home. Every time I look at it, I think about Larry and that amazing hunt (it was my first elk hunt). God bless you Larry! I hope to see you on the other side someday...
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published a tribute .
Debbie, Ben and Family,
Our sincere condolences on you loss of your husband, father, brother and grandfather. May Almighty God comfort you all during this difficult time.
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published a tribute .
Very sad to hear the news about Larry, we played golf many times in the weekday afternoon in LA, Larry was happy, positive, friendly. I was impressed how he carried his golf bag and acted like a young guy. The regular golf group was close and they will miss Larry tremendously. I was a sometimes substitute to the group. I give Larry great praise for being a good honest decent man with positive attitude. In golf he was mildly competitive mostly the course against him. He had a few pretty good scoring days in the past few years. He spoke fondly of his days at LAHS and teaching in general. I am sure he touched the lives of many LAHS students in a very positive manner. He was a great influence on our community.
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published a tribute .
Debbie and family, I am so sorry to hear of Larry's death. May our Lord Jesus give you the strength you need to deal with your loss. My prayers are with you all, Stella
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published a tribute .
Debbie, Ben and family- We are so shocked and saddened at Larry's passing. He was such a great influence in my development as a coach, teacher and man. We hope that you are able to celebrate his life and remember all the good times. Our hearts are with you, Don, Cecilia and Ashley
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published a tribute .
Reading the Obit I knew him of many talents! I was new at driving a track team and had lights go out on the bus on I-25 by Wagon Mound on a pitch dark night. We pulled off and started "wiggling" wires on elec panel. Suddenly the lights came on and we were home bound. It would have 2-3 hours before another bus could have help. It was great to have his calm demeanor with his help a story I have told many times when people wonder why would you ever drive a school
Bus!! Wonderful to work with and made a drivers job easier!! RIP Larry
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published a tribute .
From childhood my brother was always a leader, lover of nature, family and our Lord. He was a roll model for us all. I love you Brother. RIP
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published a tribute .
Larry is in some of my favorite memories growing up. He was a believer in Christ and knowing this I know that he is in Heaven where there is no hurting, no suffering and no pain. While we grieve his physiclal loss, I'm comforted by the fact that he is in a far better place now. My heartfelt sympathies to all of the family.
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published a tribute .
We are so sorry for your loss. Larry was a great man and will be missed.
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Ben, Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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published a tribute .
So very sorry for your all’s loss. May God comfort you all during this time.
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published a tribute .
Larry was one of the most respected coaches in the state. He will truly be missed. My prayers for the family and friends.
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published a tribute .
So sorry to hear about Larry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a teacher and coach whom I respected. I enjoyed working with him.
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