Larry Noble Baize

February 28, 1945 – March 14, 2024

Larry Noble Baize was born on February 28, 1945, in Fresno, CA. He grew up in Fresno and graduated from McLane High School in 1963. He joined the Army and served his country from 1966 to 1969. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran. After his discharge from the Army he followed his dream and drove hardtop race cars at Fresno Kearney Bowl, Clovis, Santa Maria, Atascadero and San Jose Speedways.

On January 10, 1970 he met his soon to be wife, Juanita Marie Garcia. They married on May 16, 1970. He then began to live his dream of becoming a cowboy. He loved to spend time on Juanita's family's ranch and started riding horses. Over the years he enjoyed team roping, team penning and cattle sorting, but his favorite thing was helping to work cattle on ranches and taking trail rides with his family.

After getting married, he attended Fresno City College where he obtained a degree in Automotive Mechanics. He then decided that he wanted to become a PE teacher and coach. He went to Fresno State University where he majored in Physical Education. He graduated and started teaching in January of 1978. He spent 30 years teaching junior high for Fresno Unified School District. His longest tenure was at Sequoia Middle School, where he coached numerous sports for both boys and girls. His fondest memories were from coaching football at Sierra High, Fresno High and McLane. He would constantly run into previous students, who always recognized him and would tell him what a positive impact he had made on their lives. He retired in 2008.

In 1989 he moved his family to Prather, CA, from the Madera Ranchos.  Baize's Arena was then built at the house where friends and neighbors were always welcome to ride and he affected a whole different crowd. The gymkhanas and other events put on for a few years there are still fond memories to so many mountain residents. He became the arena announcer for gymkhanas and rodeos (at the Mountain Horsemen Club in Oakhurst, Burrough Valley American Legion Post, and CA High School Rodeo Assoc. District 6) for over 15 years.

He was so proud to watch his sons participate in Junior Rodeo and California High School Rodeo. He never missed a chance to watch them compete in any sport.

He was a proud supporter of Sierra FFA, where he spent many hours doing whatever was necessary while his sons attended Sierra High School. It was also during this time he was instrumental in putting on fundraising car shows, with the Hilltop Cruisers, at Sierra High for the FFA Chapter.

His love of cars was only surpassed by his love for his family. The classic 1957 Chevy 210 he purchased in 1994 and rebuilt with his sons was his pride and joy. It has been seen around the valley at various car shows over the years. This resulted in a whole new group of friends who shared his enthusiasm for cars.

Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Juanita, his sons Brett Baize (Cristina) of Coarsegold, CA and Scott Baize (Shay) of Lima, MT, sisters Arline Gill (John) and Tamara Van Hooser (Mike), sister-in-law Ernestine Garcia Bailey, and brother-in-law Ralph Garcia (Barbara). He was a proud Papa of Logan, Brody and Easton (Coarsegold, CA) and Bailee and Bryce (Lima, MT) and had numerous nieces and nephews who made him proud to be "Uncle Larry."  He dearly loved his extended Garcia Family of so many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Noble and Eleanor Baize of Fresno and later Sacramento.

He is loved by many and will be missed terribly. He had battled many health problems for several years and was "so tired."  He told everyone he was "fine" and "doing good" because he didn't want anyone to think he wasn't and hated being unable to do so many things.

A funeral mass will be held on April 19, 2024 at 10:00am at Santa Margarita de Cortona Catholic Church in Santa Margarita, CA.  Larry will be laid to rest in the Santa Margarita Cemetery. After the funeral a celebration will be held at the Santa Margarita Senior Center to honor his life.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Fresno Moose Lodge #445 at 5025 E. Dakota Ave. on April 25, 2024 from 1pm to 5pm.  Please come and go as you are able and help us share some memories.