Daniel David Baiza

Daniel (Dan) David Baiza, 78, passed away on April 20, 2024, at his home in Roswell, NM surrounded by his family. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Dan’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on April 27, 2024, at Gateway Church International (1900 North Sycamore Ave) in Roswell, NM, with pastor Rick Rapp officiating. Dan was born on March 24, 1946, to Reynaldo and Maria Baiza in Carlsbad, NM. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1964. He married his high school sweetheart Leonora Doporto on June 1, 1964, in Carlsbad. He was a member of Gateway Church International in Roswell. Dan started working at a young age in the grocery business in 1963 as a sacker in Carlsbad. This career led him to Balboa Island in California in 1966. His favorite part of working on Balboa Island was delivering groceries to movie stars on their yachts. Dan then took a break from the grocery business to work at the Pilot Chemical Plant for several years. In 1977 he continued his grocery career back in Carlsbad and then eventually moved to Roswell, NM, where he ended his grocery career as a store manager. When in Roswell, Dan started the Christian radio station KCRX. Dan was also a production manager at the TMC bus plant for several years. Dan had several other jobs while in Roswell to keep him busy before retiring in 2011. Meanwhile, Dan traveled through the Southwest, singing, preaching, and sharing the gospel. Dan had many hobbies, including woodworking, softball, and working on cars. His love for cars was also shared by his brothers Paul, Ishmael, and Lee. He took that love of working on cars and became an amateur drag racer, winning many races and bringing home many trophies. Throughout his life, he cherished supporting his children and grandchildren by attending numerous sporting events, band competitions, graduations, and other significant milestones. He also took great pride in attending the piano and dance recitals of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest love, other than his wife and family, was his love for Jesus and gospel music. He was self-taught on the piano, drums, and guitar but his singing was his greatest talent. In California, Dan used his musical talents as a member of a band called “The Internationals”. This band traveled far and wide, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following God's plan, he became an ordained minister of Assemblies of God and traveled to many churches, ministering to congregations through his music. Dan later became the lead music minister at Living Water Christian Fellowship in Roswell, NM, touching many lives and helping lead many souls to the Lord. Dan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nora Baiza; 5 children: Cathy Lilley (Tom) of Roswell, NM, Jerry Baiza (Deann) of Olathe, KS, Cynthia Gonzales (Michael) of Albuquerque, NM, Jeffrey Baiza (Amanda) of Roswell, NM and Cheryl Dillon (Kevin) of Roswell, NM; Dan "Papo" is also survived by 20 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers: Ishmael Baiza (Esther) of Palm Desert, CA and Lee Baiza (Terri) of Mesa, AZ; sister, Betty Thompson of Carlsbad, NM; godson, Wesley Flores Jr. (Erica) of Albuquerque, NM; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dan is preceded in death by his parents: Reynaldo and Maria Baiza; and brother, Paul Baiza. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Enhabit Hospice, Dr. Arnett and her staff, and the Gateway Church Family. Dan’s tribute was lovingly written by his family.

Daniel David Baiza

March 21, 1946 - April 20, 2024