Heartfelt ceremony for retiring Reeves County public worker

Every morning, Joel Baeza made sure workers with the Reeves County Road & Bridge Department had access to their morning coffee, and, even more importantly, their personal protective equipment, or PPE.

But perhaps beyond simply doing his duties well, Baeza proved over the years to be a consistent positive force for many years in public service.

And so it was no surprise when, this week, Baeza was given a hero’s celebration upon his retirement.

In fact, Reeves County officials called Baeza’s departure after 34 years in public service “the end of an era.”

Colleagues and friends held a heartfelt ceremony for Baeza, “a highly esteemed member of the team” who served 18 years with TXDOT, six years at Reeves County Detention Center and the last 10.5 years with the Reeves County Road & Bridge Department.

He was considered a cornerstone of the team, known for a tireless worth ethic and commitment to excellence.

“His responsibilities ranged from managing daily tasks such as organizing morning coffee and handling PPE distribution to ensuring the smooth operation of various departmental functions,” County officials said.

Jamie Mendoza, a longtime coworker, said Baez’s positive influence will be deeply missed.

“Joel has been more than just a coworker; he’s been a cornerstone of our team,” Mendoza said. “His hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment have significantly impacted our growth and success over the years. It has been a pleasure working alongside someone of his caliber.”

Baeza was also described as a pleasant daily presence who exhibited “genuine camaraderie and friendship.”

“As he steps into retirement, there is a palpable sense of loss among his colleagues, who will miss his daily presence and the unique contributions he brought to the workplace,” County officials said.

Despite these concerns, Mendoza said the department is excited for Baeza’s next phase of life.

“We wish him nothing but the best as he steps into this new chapter of his life,” Mendoza said.