LODI, Calif. - Juletta Lea (Julie) Baca, 64, passed away July 26, 2020 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stockton, California due to the COVID-19 virus which she fought so hard to beat. She was surrounded by her loving husband and family.
Julie was born November 19, 1955, in Great Bend, Kansas to Bill and Vonnie (Dunn) Shepard. She was united in marriage to Jay Taylor July 20, 1974, and to that union four beautiful children were born. They later divorced. On April 6, 2001, Julie re-married to the love of her life John Baca. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Mormon Church on September 6, 2003.
Julie was raised in Great Bend, Kansas and later moved with her family to Wyoming for a time and then on to California where she remained for the rest of her life. She loved the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul and it showed when interacting with others. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time in her garden, tending her chickens and her sheep, Molly and Polly.
She was a night shift ER secretary at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stockton, California, which is one of the most COVID-19 impacted hospitals in the state. After 20 plus years, she was planning on retiring in November.
Julie is survived by her husband, John Baca, Lodi, California; two daughters Tia Taylor, Sacramento, California, Alisa Taylor (Kevin Gill) Woodland, California; two sons Joseph (Deven) Taylor of Murrieta, California; Christopher (Kalleen) Taylor of Lacy, Washington; twelve grandchildren Sarah of Chico, California, Ryley, Mellyssa, Lorynn, Taylin and Talon of Woodland, California; Christopher; Spencer; Trever; Mayra all of Lacy Washington; Nathan and Joshua of Murrieta, California; one sister: Joanita (Jo) Sherman, Great Bend, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Patrick Merrill Shepard and infant brother Nealon Blaine Shepard.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday August 7, 2020 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home located at 831 Industrial Way, Lodi, California 95240. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday August 8, 2020 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi, California 95240. Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Cherokee Memorial Park
831 Industrial Way
Lodi, California 95240
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 7, 2020
