On May 11th, 2026, Fred Raymond Balding, of Las Cruces, N.M., passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones at The Good Samaritan Society in Las Cruces, New Mexico, following a lengthy stay at the hospital.  Fred was born in August 1941, in Ontario, California, to the late Pershing and Nell (Riley) Balding.

Fred's life centered on a profound intellectual curiosity and a pursuit of knowledge. He served as a B-52 radio repairman for four years in the United States Air Force and later earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 1968 and his PHD in Plant Biology from New Mexico State University, in 1974. His expertise led him to a long and dedicated career at White Sands Missile Range, where he worked until his retirement in 2006.

Fred was a true early adopter of technology, often building or operating home computers a decade before they became common household items. His brilliance was not limited to the digital world; in his younger years, he found peace in the great outdoors, particularly while fly fishing. In his later years, he combined his technical skills with his love for aviation, dedicating himself to flight simulator graphics development by collaborating in several program projects.

He is preceded in death by his father, Persh; mother, Nell; former Wife and Mother of his children, Marijean (Carmack) Balding; and nephew Steven Balding.

He is survived by his siblings; brother Jack Balding and sister Carol Taylor; his children Jeffrey Balding, Patty D'Amore and husband Marc; his beloved grandchildren Lorraine D'Amore, Thomas D'Amore, Tyler Balding and wife Ivy; and his great-granddaughter, Carissa Balding.

Fred will be truly missed.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to https://www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com