Michael Anthony Baca

Memorial services for Michael Anthony Baca, LtCol USMC (Ret ) will be held on Wednesday, March 24 ^th , 2021, beginning with Mass at 11:00am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church , 5100 W Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas. Mass will be followed by a 2:30pm graveside service at the DFW National Cemetery . Out of respect for his memory and those in attendance, please note that both the church and the DFW National Cemetery require masks to be worn by all attendees. A reception will follow the internment near the National Cemetery.

Baca, aged 75, of Crossroads, Texas, passed away in the early morning of December 16, 2020 from complications of Covid-19 and Agent Orange.

A proud and devout Catholic, Michael was a former altar boy, attended Laneri High School, and is a graduate of the University of Dallas for both his bachelors and MBA degrees. He, Sharon and their girls were active members in the church families of Holy Trinity in Dallas, Prince of Peace in Plano, and now St Thomas Aquinas in Pilot Point.

He traveled for the Marine Corps, serving as an artillery officer in Vietnam and later aboard ship as the embark officer for a three-ship Mediterranean tour. He remained on active duty until 1977 but continued to lead and serve in the Marine Corps Reserves until 1996.

In 1977, Michael began his career with Texas Instruments, lasting 35 years until he retired from Raytheon. His career in Aerospace Defense Contracts afforded him the ability to continue his adventures traveling around the world.

Michael loved airplanes and building models. He entered models in the Texas State Fair competition every year and frequently received first prize. He also enjoyed running, which he did every morning, often using it as an excuse to hand-deliver newspapers to his neighbors’ front porches.

He and his “Miss Sharon” enjoyed their travels together; from their road trip honeymoon in his TR6, excursions around Europe, cruising Australia and New Zealand, Alaska and the Caribbean, and paddle-wheeling the Mississippi.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents Arnold & Frances Baca (nee Brenk) and his little brother Tommy. He will be dearly missed by his wife of almost 50 years, Sharon J Baca (nee Migues); daughters Rachel Baca and Maryam (Joseph “JP”) Houston; his grandchildren Emma Grace, Sawyer, and Charlotte Houston; his brother Lawrence (Nancy) Baca and sister Joan (Jim) Bowman; as well as his brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Marine Heritage Foundation (marineheritage.org) or to Cowtown Warriors (cowtownwarriors.com).  In support of a cause dear to Mike and the family’s heart, please note gifts to Cowtown Warriors to be 100% direct support of Vietnam Veterans affected by Agent Orange exposure.  Donate to: www.cowtownwarriors.com or by check, to Cowtown Warriors, PO BOX 1295, Ft. Worth, Texas 76101