Anthony Sylfred Baca 1971-2025

Anthony went to be with his God on February 13, 2025.

Best known for his full body laughter that could be heard two doors down, he was a constant jokester who lived to make people laugh! Born and raised in Socorro, Anthony was a consummate homebody, enjoying spending time with family, doting on his wife and son, working on the yard and pursuing his passions.

Anthony spent his entire life studying the martial arts. His natural ability and talent enabled him to learn most any form of martial arts - Boxing, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Aikido, small circle Jiu-Jitsu, etc. The martial arts was his passion, but he also enjoyed woodworking and landscaping. Creating beauty with his hands was one of his favorite pastimes.

A 40+ yr veteran of non-belt fighting systems, Anthony became a Certified Personal Trainer in 1996. He trained many students in the martial arts, situational self defense and weightlifting throughout the years. In 2008 he realized his lifelong dream of joining the Bruce Lee/Dan Inosanto lineage by becoming a Certified Jeet Kun Do Rapid Assault Tactics Instructor, one of only four in the state of New Mexico, teaching several law enforcement and private security personnel. He also worked as the Maintenance Contractor for Judge Cases’ Municipal Court until her retirement in 2021.

Anthony will forever be remembered for his love for his family and friends and his ability to make everyone feel safe and comfortable. He never shied away from his feelings, making sure several times a day that his family knew how much he loved and cherished them. His natural protective instincts will also be remembered by folks who knew him, throughout the years he trained many folks in the martial arts. His greatest wish was to equip people with the ability to protect themselves, gain confidence and self esteem and know that they were capable of much more than they realized. He was a gentle soul filled with love and empathy for everyone he met and the world is a much lonelier place without his kind and welcoming smile.

Anthony is being reunited with his puppies, Meemee Jeans Baca and Blackie, grandparents Dorothy and Ramon Baca, aunts Emma Henderson and Ida Aguilar, uncle Ronnie Baca, stepfather Ralph Martinez, father-in-law Steve Padilla and many other beloved family members and friends.

And since his passing he has been watching over his loving wife of 25 years and son, Dana Chavez-Baca, Brandon Baca; parents, Sylfred Baca, Angela Martinez; siblings, Stephanie Baca, Samuel Peralta, Kevin Peralta, George Baca; close family, Kristol Baca, Melinda Sweeney, Raquela Card, Tameron Masterson and furbabies Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Oreo and Coco, just to name a few.

Anthony’s memorial will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, 12pm at the NMT Deju House. His transition has been entrusted to the Trujillo Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to https://gofund.me/08d9ca5a to help with Anthony’s end of life expenses.