Joseph Bartholomew "Bart" Baca

Joseph Bartholomew (Bart) Baca, 75, passed away in his home in Myrtle Beach, SC, on Friday, October 10, 2025. Bart was born in El Campo, TX, on June 8, 1950, to Eva Marie Tillery Baca and Joseph John Baca of Taiton, TX.

He was raised on a small family farm in Taiton and endured the hardship of losing his childhood home to a fire. He regularly hunted the land, and this is where his fascination and love with nature began. His interest in science also began at an early age, long before he graduated from El Campo High School. He married the love of his life, Patricia Haedge of East Bernard, TX, and received his Ph.D. in Botany from Texas A&M University. After employment as a biologist in Ohio and South Carolina, he started an environmental consulting firm in Florida with his wife. He was hardworking and loved what he did, whether trudging through wetlands, planting mangroves, responding to oil spills, or running a fish farm. He taught numerous university courses, including biology, aquaculture, and herbal medicine, and his greatest professional accomplishments included seeing his graduate students succeed. He was very intelligent but humble and would tell others to refer to him as Bart instead of Dr. Baca. In spite of dedication to his work, he always found time for family and ultimately moved to Myrtle Beach so his grandchildren, who brought him so much joy, could spend more time with their Papa.

Bart had a charismatic personality and lived life to the fullest. He was a talented musician and artist, particularly with oil painting nature scenes. He was lead singer for the rock band Mechanical Switch in the 1960s, and he continued his love of singing and dancing throughout his life, often being the first person in a room to get up and dance. He enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, and loved to travel, especially when attending a conference or working on an international project. He was a devout Catholic, growing up as an altar boy and later becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus. He would often study the Bible and even wrote a Bible handbook. He cared deeply about his friends and family and never hesitated to offer a helping hand or warm meal. He was a great cook and, despite being health-conscious, he wouldn’t pass up a good gas station burrito or bag of jalapeño chips. He had a great sense of humor but was serious about what matters most in life. He always focused on the present and future and would want others to follow in his footsteps of helping others, protecting the environment, and dancing to the music.

Bart is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Haedge Baca; son Joseph Brett Baca and partner Emily Maloney; daughter Kara Rosch and husband Eric Rosch; granddaughter Victoria Rosch; grandsons Marcus Rosch, Jeremy Rosch, and Jack Maloney-Baca; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Thomas Baca (surviving wife Brenda Blaydes Baca).

His body is now returning to Texas. A visitation is scheduled at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard, TX, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 5:00-6:30pm with a rosary at 6:30pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 10:00am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in East Bernard, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bart Baca’s name can be made to the charity of your choice or towards a memorial at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC:

https://www.brookgreen.org/memorial-and-tribute-gifts

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.