Francisco Balderrama Sr

Francisco "Frankie" Balderrama Sr, 67, a lifelong resident of Tularosa passed away on July 12, 2021 peacefully at his home in Tularosa. He was born on May 9, 1954 in Ruidoso, NM, to Rumalda and Raymond Balderrama Sr. He graduated from Tularosa High School in 1972. After high school he worked in the oil fields in Colorado for several years. After 4 years of long distance dating he moved back and married Elaine Lee from Bent , NM. Together they had 2 children, Frankie Balderrama Jr, and Rene Balderrama.  

Frankie had misc. jobs; he worked as a security guard on the range and different construction jobs. In July 1987 he worked for Tularosa Public Schools for three years before transferring to Alamogordo Public Schools where he worked as a custodian at Sierra Elementary School until he retired in July of 2010. During the time he worked at Sierra he also worked part time with the Forest Service.

Frankie was a workaholic! He could do the work of three men. He was so strong and he kept going from sun up to sun down. When they went deer hunting he could out walk men half his age. He could load and unload 25 bales of hay and go back and get 25 more. If he wasn’t breaking a horse, he was shoeing a horse. In 1990 with grandpa's help we built our own home. From rebuilding an engine to electrical and plumbing, you name it and he could do it! In the winter you would find him in the kitchen. He liked to bake because he loved to eat sweets. The dessert that he was best known for in the family was his carrot cake. Everyone always looked forward to Uncle Frankie’s carrot cake, especially at Christmas time. He was a jack of all trades and a master of all. He was amazing! 

Frankie loved being outdoors! He loved gardening, hunting, wood cutting, camping, and horseback riding. He also loved playing pool and teaching his granddaughters his special moves. However, fishing was his all time favorite hobby since he was a little boy. He loved to fish! Grandpa Tacho started taking him fishing when he was very young and he was “hooked” on fishing. It was in his blood. From the time the kids were young fishing was a weekly outing. Frankie has carried this tradition down to his kids and grandkids. Every chance we had we would get together and have a family fish fry. 

Frankie was preceded in death by his parents, Rumalda and Raymond Balderrama Sr, grandparents, Anastacio and Bonifacia Baca, brother, Louis Balderrama, and sister, Lupita Balderrama.

Frankie is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Elaine, daughter Rene Balderrama, son Frankie Balderrama Jr., his brother Raymond Balderrama Jr.(Ronna), his two granddaughters that stole grandpa’s heart, Isabella Rose and Paisley Rae.  He also has many nieces and nephews that thought the world of their uncle because he treated them like they were his own. He will truly be missed by all!          

Per Frankie’s request there will not be any public services. We will have a graveside service and a celebration of life at a later date with immediate family and friends.

The Balderrama family has entrusted their loved one to the care of PCS Direct Cremation Service and Alamogordo Funeral Home.
 

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