TACAMO Fallen: Captain Fidel Leroy "Fil" Baca, VQ-3

May 29, 1940 – August 19, 2026

Fil Baca, 86, passed away peacefully with his family on August 19, 2026. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 29, 1940, Fil was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. While you could prefix “step” to all of these kinship terms, he never considered it and relished just being Dad and Papa. He was the loving and loyal son of Blas Benedito Baca and Reyna Ann Baca and brother to Jim, Billy, Rick, Joe, and Larry. He shared a wonderful, loving marriage with his wife, Patsy Ruth Baca, for over sixty years.

Fil loved green chile (to the point of illness on multiple occasions), Porsches (42…45???), racquetball, and playing jokes much to his own immense amusement if not to anyone else’s. He was FOMO’s Patient Zero—one time getting out of bed to rejoin a party in his pajamas. He turned road trips between military duty stations into a game by making wagers with his wife on which of his daughters would get car sick first. He had a soft spot for his pooches and was a dog person through and through.

Fil enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1958, beginning 31 years of distinguished military service. He served as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) before earning his commission. Other than his family, he was most proud of the men and women he had the privilege to serve in Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VQ-3). Sierra Hotel!

Children & Spouses: Fil was a proud and loving father to his five children and their spouses: Fran Melencamp (predeceased); Trina Burkett and her husband Bruce; Jeanie Johnson and her husband Robert; Vicki McCreary and her husband Jeff; and James Baca and his wife Juli.

Grandchildren & Spouses: He was blessed with twelve cherished grandchildren and their spouses: Steven Parnell; Angie Pipkin and her husband Ray; Mark Parnell and his wife Tammy; Amanda MacDiarmid; Stephen LaVella and his wife Mira; Jason Johnson; Kristie Hanshaw; Avery Pasquier; Matthew Pasquier and his wife Erica; Colin McCreary and his wife Hannah; Sayer Baca; and William Baca.

Great-Grandchildren: Fil was deeply proud to be a great-grandfather to thirteen great-grandchildren: Caleb Browning, Niki Cunningham, Liliya Koehler, Dillon Lankford, Sidney Parnell, Brody Parnell, Brooke Parnell, Audrey Parnell, Maci Parnell, Ty Parnell, Fairen Pasquier, Ray Pipkin, Malayna White, and baby Owen McCreary due in November.

Great-Great-Grandchildren: Despite the distance, Fil loved to tell people about his great-great-grandchildren, Kaiden Pipkin and Ky Cunningham.

Fil will forever be remembered for his steadfastness, his love, and his little boy’s smile when he was playing a joke on someone. “Be good…but if you can’t be good, have fun.”

Fair winds and following seas, Dad. (James)

The TACAMO Community extends its sympathy and prayer for peace to Fil's family and friends during this time of passing.