Reyes Baca

Reyes Chavez “Chili Man” Baca

On the Morning of March 15, 2019, Reyes Chavez Baca was called to the Community of Heaven at his home in Lemitar, New Mexico, surrounded by family. Reyes is proceeded in death by his wife of forty-five years Rosalena “Rosie” Garcia Baca of La Joya NM.  Reyes was born on December 16, 1932, in Lemitar, NM and was the third of eleven children born to Jose O. Baca and Francescita C. Baca.  Reyes is survived by his loving sons, Ray Baca Jr. and wife Karen H. C. Baca of Albuquerque NM; Anthony L. Baca and wife Margaret I. Baca of Lemitar, NM; Patrick D. Baca and wife Aileen M. Baca of Tome, NM; and Gilbert Romero of Lemitar, NM.  Reyes is also survived by his adorning grandchildren, Nicole E. Gutierrez, Anjelica M. Baca-Martinez and husband Peter Martinez, Joshua D. Baca, Monique A. Baca and great grandchildren, Jeremiah Mondragon and Zara Pena.  Reyes would spend many a long day making the grandchildren’s visits a fieldtrip experience as they rode around visiting family and friends in Socorro County. Reyes is survived by his siblings David L. and Maria S. Baca of Albuquerque NM, Juanita and Florencio Saavedra of Socorro NM and Miguel Baca of Los Molinos NM.  Reyes is also survived by his beloved sisters-in-law Prescilla G. and Stewart L. Breeswine of Albuquerque, NM and Helen Baca of Polvadera, NM.  Reyes enjoy spending time visiting and sharing with his cousins Esther Griego of Socorro, NM, Mae Griego of Lemitar, NM, Mary Zamora of Socorro, NM, Ray and Lucy Chavez of Albuquerque, NM and the late Mauelita “Mela” Chavez Herrera of Las Cruces, NM. Reyes was a loving and devoted father and husband to his family and devoted son and brother to his parents and siblings. Reyes helped his families throughout his life.  During the Korean War, he and his best friend Gilbert Romero served in an Army Heavy Artillery Battery stationed in Germany and was a member of the local VFW Post. Reyes was also a respected mechanic and local small business owner who operated several service stations in his life time.  After, retiring, Reyes spend his remaining years working in the agricultural arena planting, growing, harvesting and selling chili products throughout the Middle Rio Grande Region. Reyes was known as “The Chili Man” to the many family, friends and customers who bought his dried red chili products.  He also enjoyed visiting, talking and sharing with family, friends and acquaintances he would run into on his daily excursions around the community that he treasured and loved so much. On April 6th, 2019, Celebration of Life Services will be held at Family Christian Center, 1016 Fowler, Socorro, NM. Burial will immediately follow at Lemitar Cemetery, Lemitar NM.  A heartfelt thank you to medical staff at VA Hospital ABQ NM, his Hospice Nurse and attendant.   In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider making a Tribute Donation in Reyes’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico. 505-266-4473 Albuquerque NM.  Reyes’s care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, Socorro Chapel. 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801. 575-835-1530