Eloy D. Baca

Baca, Eloy Defino On the early morning of June 14, 2014, Eloy (Papa) passed away peacefully at home and was comforted by his loving wife Flora. Eloy was 92 and was surrounded by family. Eloy was born December 24, 1921 in the Mosquero, NM. One of 10 siblings, he was the eldest of the boys working on his family�s cattle ranch until the age of 17. On September 14, 1940 Eloy found his way with his cousin and a buddy to Las Vegas, NM and enlisted into the U.S. Army. He decided �let�s see what�s going on.� He served in Africa, Sicily, and the South of France; spent four months on the Anzio Beach; participated in liberating Dachau Concentration Camp with Company C of the 120th Engineer Combat Battalion, supporting the 45th Infantry, known as the Thunderbirds. He received six Bronze Service Arrowheads; American Defense Service Medal; European African Middle East Service Medal, and two Purple Hearts. On January 1, 1948 Eloy married his beautiful wife, Flora Montano; they had seven children: Herman, Rita, Tom, Kathy, Nick (predeceased), Dore, and Pablo; he also has 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Like many veterans, he used his Army experience to become a successful businessman and owner in Albuquerque, NM. He retired in 1972 and returned Harding County where he became County Assessor and later County Commissioner in 1978. He fully retired in 1982 and spent some time on Ute Lake, Logan, NM. He moved back to Albuquerque in 1986 with his wife, Flora spending time with his family and grandchildren; traveling and telling jokes. I love you Papa. A Rosary will be recited on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 6:00 pm at St. Therese Little Flower Church, 300 Mildred Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 20, 2014 at 10:00 am also at St. Therese Little Flower Church. Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-891-9192