Birth date: Sep 23, 1950 Death date: Nov 27, 2025
John D. Baca, 75, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025, surrounded by the family he loved with his whole heart, in San Diego, California. Born on September 23, 1950, in Trinidad, Colorado, John grew up with the kind of fam Read Obituary
Although I didn’t get to talk with Uncle John as much as I got older, I will forever be grateful for the profound impact he had on my life. His presence, his guidance, and his quiet lessons shaped me more than he may have ever realized.
When I was younger, and he would visit being pulled aside for one of his “small talks” or a quick chat on the phone, sometimes felt like a scolding, but those moments became some of the most important lessons of my life. He taught me to always do my best, to help my mom and my grandma, and to take responsibility for myself. He showed me that I had to show up for my own life—that no one else was coming to do it for me. Those lessons stayed with me long after the talks ended.
Uncle John gave me experiences I never thought I would have. He gave me a summer filled with laughter and memories, but also perspective—reminding me that no matter how hard I thought things were growing up, life could always be harder. That trip to Tijuana was eye-opening, and it taught me gratitude in a way I didn’t understand at the time.
I will always be thankful and blessed that he gave us a safe home and the chance to grow up comfortably in a good neighborhood. His support gave me stability, and without him, I truly don’t believe I would have made it through nursing school—especially as a young mom. His help carried me through one of the most challenging seasons of my life.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to fully understand the depth of his influence. Those small talks turned into lifelong values: to work hard, to put effort into everything I do, to take care of what I’ve earned, to give when I’m able, and to genuinely care for others. These are the same values I now try to instill in my own children.
If it weren’t for Uncle John, I’m not sure where I would be today. I am endlessly thankful for his love, his sacrifices, and the role he played in shaping the person I became. I will always carry his lessons with me, and I will always be grateful to have been loved and guided by an uncle like him.
To my Aunt and cousins, my heart is with you during this unimaginable loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing how deeply Uncle John was loved and how many lives he touched. May his memory continue to live on through the values he instilled, and the love he gave.
