Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Baca's Funeral Chapels - Las Cruces

300 East Boutz

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Samuel "Sam" Barba Obituary

Samuel "Sam" Landeros Barba, age 84, loving husband, father, and grandfather, former Las Cruces City Councilor, and retired logistics management specialist at White Sands Missile Range, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2013, at La Posada- Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces. He was a resident of Las Cruces since 1949. He was born on August 31, 1928 in Swanee, also known as Correo, now Highland Meadows, in Western Valencia County, New Mexico. Sam was the oldest son of a Santa Fe Railroad worker father and a homemaker mother. Later, the family re-located to Belén. During his high school years he first attended Menaul High School in Albuquerque. He graduated from the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, TX. From February 8, 1946 to December 16, 1948, Sam served in the United States Army Air Corps, being honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal at Biggs Army Air Field (BAAF), (now a part of Fort Bliss) in El Paso, TX. He moved to Las Cruces, in 1949 to attend New Mexico State University. In 1950 he continued his career as a civilian employee of the United States Defense Department, of the Army at White Sands Missile Range in the area of freight transportation logistics. Sam also performed logistics technical support to United States Department of Defense affiliated facilities in Saudi Arabia. He retired in January 1988. Sam participated in many local organizations in the Las Cruces community, including El Calvario United Methodist Church, the Dona Ana County Democratic Party, the American GI Forum, the League of United Latin American Citizens, AARP, the local Masonic Lodge, and Senior Citizen Centers. During the 1980's Sam and Felix Vega bravely advocated for justice at the local level and stood against racial and ethnic discrimination in voting rights. They were prominent participants in a successful civil rights challenge in Federal Court versus the City of Las Cruces that led to major, permanent reforms to the City of Las Cruces Home Rule Charter mandating that six City Council elected Councilors be elected by similar population size single-member districts, and none may be elected at-large. The Mayor is elected separately at-large. Subsequently, Sam was elected Councilor from District Three to the Las Cruces City Council in 1985 and served through 1989.
On August 16, 1951 he married Alma María Acevedo in El Paso, TX. Five, children were born to them, Deborah Lois, Catherine Elizabeth, Samuel Lyle, Jacob Leonard and Ana María. He was preceded in death by his parents, José Barba and Elvira Landeros Barba of Belen, brothers, Miguel Barba of Bell, CA, Raymond Barba of Washington, DC, and Elías Barb and a sister, Pearl Barba both of Albuquerque. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Alma Acevedo Barba of the family home; daughter, Deborah and husband Steven Eagan of Albuquerque, daughter Catherine Barba of Albuquerque, son Samuel Lyle Barba and his wife Susan of San Leandro, CA, son Jacob Leonard Sr. and his wife Mary Jane Barba of Santa Fe, and daughter Ana and her husband, Thomas J. Young of Las Cruces; grandchildren Brian Eagan and his partner, David Gilpin, Alexandra Barba-Potter, Sean Barba-Potter, Sarah Jane Barba, Jacob Barba Jr., Isaac Barba, all of Albuquerque; Ryan, Renae, and Bradley Barba, all of San Leandro, CA; Monique and her husband Heath Horan of Atlanta, GA; Cristiana Young and Nicolette Young, all of Las Cruces. Other survivors include brother Phillip Barba, sister Naomi Sanchez, sister Josephine Gurule and husband Raymond, sister Domie and her husband Andrew Loughlin, sister Phoebe and her husband Roman Hernandez, all of Albuquerque; brother John & his wife Judy Barba of Belén; brother Richard & his wife Karen Barba of Victorville, CA; brother Benjamin Barba of Clovis, NM; sister Lydia & her husband George Romo of Edgewood, NM; brother Joel & his wife Letitia Barba of Los Angeles, CA; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Visitation for Mr. Barba will begin at 6 PM Friday June 28, 2013 in Baca's Chapel of Prayer, 300 E. Boutz Road, where the Evening Service is scheduled for 7 PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 AM Saturday, June 29, 2013 at El Calvario United Methodist Church, 300 N. Campo St. with Pastor Jesse Bermudez officiating. Concluding Service and Interment will follow at Masonic Cemetery, 760 S. Compress Road where he will lay to rest. Military Honors will be accorded by the New Mexico National Guard Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League El-Perro Diablo Detachment. Serving as casket bearers will be Thomas J. Young, Steven Eagan, Samuel Lyle Barba, Jacob Leonard Barba, Sr., Mario Humberto Acevedo and Vincent Lucero, Jr. Honorary bearers will be Brian Amado Eagan, Sean Jacquez, Jacbo L. Barba, Jr., Johnny Dominguez, Heath Horan, Ryan Barba, Phillip Barba, David Gilpin and Angela Vega. A reception will follow immediately at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 225 W Griggs Ave. (575) 526-6689. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Salvation Army in Sam's memory. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 527-2222. Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences login to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com

Published by Las Cruces Sun-News from Jun. 26 to Jun. 28, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel "Sam" Barba

Not sure what to say?





I had the great honor of working with Sam out at White Sands. I really enjoyed his wit and humor.

I will miss him very much.

With deep condolences,

The Honorable Ellen Lively Steele

Ellen Steele

July 6, 2013

Ana,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cynthia Salazar Winters

June 29, 2013

Ana, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear father. My condolences to you and your entire family. My condolences as well to you too, Nicollette, for the loss of your grandfather. We lost our father in 2010 and it still seems like yesterday. We just need to treasure the beautiful memories they have left for us. JJ (Zaragoza) sends his condolences too. Ana, I NOW remember your father from LULAC.

Cristina Parra-Zaragoza

June 28, 2013

Anna, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do for you and your family, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Lynne, Terry, Ashton and Tyler Robinson

June 28, 2013

I only knew Sam briefly, but he struck me as a genuinely good and sweet man. I will think of him fondly.

Jean Hanson

June 28, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ginger Bellard

June 28, 2013

My condolences Alma and Sammy. My sister Spring has gone home with the Lord this past Saturday. We miss her but she will be joining your beloved husband and Father in heaven and in my family's hearts forever. Love Felix Sanchez, Stockton, California.

June 27, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ana Castillo-Cuellar

June 27, 2013

My thoughts are with Sam today as I think of how he and dad must be enjoying their coffee and telling stories together again.

Arturo Romero

June 27, 2013

Almita and family, please accept my deepest condolences and know that even though I am out of town, I'm with you in spirit. Praying for God's comfort and support during your loss of our Sam. He was a very intelligent man and I enjoyed our visits at church.

Belinda Gonzales

June 27, 2013

Dear Ana and family so sorrow for your loss. May God be with and give you strength to get through this trying time. All our love and prayers, Leslie and Sean

June 27, 2013

Dearest Dr. Alma Barba, Ana, et al: Please accept our condolenses and sympathy. What a masterpiece of a Man Mr. Barba was. What a pleasure and an honor to have known him, and shared his beautiful, and beloved family with him. He sure did leave this world a better place, and us better people to have known him. Love, Joanne and Family, here and in California.

Joanne Castro Alvarez

June 26, 2013

I was saddned by the news of ur passing "Sam", but rejoice in the promise that we will see u again! thank u for kindness, and sweet soul for people, and ur advice! U were and very nice and helpful landlord to us and u will be missed! Susanna Lopez & Chur & family

June 26, 2013

Sam was a mentor to me. I will never forget his advise and what he has meant to me in my life. Angelo Vega

Angelo Michael Vega

June 26, 2013

Ana my friend i'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a good sweet man and please take comfort in knowing you were such a good daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Yvonne,Jake,Darian and Alijah Cabrales

June 26, 2013

Proud to have known, my friend. You were truly a great humanitarian. You and I have a lot in common. Both of us served with honor in the Air Force, both were in logistics, both were
political activists and both who ancestors go back to 1598 New Mexico.
So long my friend and God speed.

Fermin-Fermon Torres

June 26, 2013

May you be comforted to know that God will one day allow us to see our loved ones again.

June 26, 2013

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

Make a Donation
in Samuel "Sam" Barba's name

Memorial Events
for Samuel "Sam" Barba

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Baca's Funeral Chapels - Las Cruces

300 East Boutz, Las Cruces, NM 88005

How to support Samuel "Sam"'s loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Samuel "Sam" Barba's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more