Adrian Emilio Baca passed away June 18, 2024, at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family.
The youngest of four siblings, Adrian was born in Ciudad Júarez, Chihuahua, México on May 5, 1937 to Macario Baca and Maria Amada García-Baca, long-time grocers and farmers in the El Paso area. He immigrated to the United States as an infant and remained immensely proud of his Mexican American heritage. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute where he developed an unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and achievement. These would serve him well as he went on to be the recipient of many distinguished awards throughout his lifetime, including for his dedicated service as councilman for the League of United Latino American Citizens. He won Businessman of the Year for the state of Texas many times, and was invited to the White House by President Carter as recognition for being one of the most successful retail grocers in the country.
Adrian was well known in the El Paso and Anthony areas as owner of La Feria, a real estate mogul, and a powerful entrepreneur. Though his property and interests extend across the El Paso and Doña Ana counties, his true passion was for justice, politics, and helping his fellow citizens. Having grown up and raised his young family in Anthony, TX, he vehemently served during his four consecutive terms as Mayor of Anthony in the 1970s. Under him, the town observed impactful growth in the local economy and obtained major infrastructural improvements for its residents. In addition, La Feria was the first grocery store in the area to participate in the EBT Interface Project, which facilitated use of benefits for countless families.
Adrian proudly kept his assets in Anthony with the high hopes it will one day grow to its potential. He founded the Rio Grande Gazette with the intention of giving readers transparency into the inner happenings of Anthony’s local government, because as we all know, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” He continued infusing the local economy through various businesses that remain in the area.
Now our father, husband, and friend, Adrian Emilio Baca was the stuff of legends. Not too different from the histories of Zapata or the fictions of Quixote he so loved – he was famous around these parts and will be long revered now that he’s gone. A strong man in body and temperament until the end, he was the bold and fearless leader of many. He was and forever will be the “Big Boss” who truly had the most hilarious sense of humor. And though his personal accolades brought him great pride and joy, nothing compared to those he felt for his family and the legacy he knew he’d leave behind.
A voracious reader and dessert eater, he happily welcomed engaging conversations and eloquently offered lessons of life and ‘consejos’ of all kinds. He was our dinner table teacher who made sure we were informed of the latest news events, near and far. He was strategic businessman who preferred smooth deals and agreements, but was unafraid of confrontation. A busy man at length, but never too busy to leave the office to enjoy a well-done steak and vodka martini – followed of course, by dessert and a nap. Strict and stern, as bosses go, but faithfully generous to anyone in need. He demanded excellency from all because he was an excellent man, and yet gently reminded us high expectations were for our own good. He was a lover of sunsets and good stories and was the epitome of what it means to live life on one’s own terms.
He will be sorely missed and remembered by his wife, many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire community he devotedly served for decades.
Adrian is reunited in Heaven with his parents, three siblings, and great-grandson, Jake. He will proudly watch over his wife, Ruth, and nine children – Sabrina, Lara, Viki, Adrian, Omar, Patrick, Alondra, Yoli, and Anais – his grandchildren – Sonia, Sandra, Haylee, Megan, Macario, Amada, Andreas, Alessandro, Max, Luke, and Renata – and his great grandchildren Cruz, Austin, and Anderson.
We will carry him with us in the big and small moments wherever we go – in cups of vanilla coffee, on drives through the mountains he once loved, and everywhere else under the sun we once shared.
Visitation
WEDNESDAY,JUNE 26, 2024
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Prayer Service
@ 7:00 pm
HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME-WEST
5054 Doniphan Dr.
El Paso, Texas 79932
