John Baker Baldwin, age 90, of Ismay passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
John was born in his Grandma and Grandpa Baker’s home in Ismay, Montana on February 16, 1926 to Aud and Esther (Baker) Baldwin. He attended school at Coal Creek Country School through the 8th grade then attended Ismay High School graduating in 1943. Following graduation, he worked for George Askin drilling wells. In 1947, he began flight training and started Baldwin Spraying Service in 1949. On February 14, 1953 he married Therese Halder in Pocahontas, Iowa. They returned to Ismay, took over the Baldwin Family ranch that fall and raised twelve children. His top priority was his family, the ranch, his animals and the many customers he sprayed for. Beneath the humble and dedicated exterior was a quick, sly wit and volumes of Ole and Lena jokes. John remained on the ranch until retiring in October of 2016.
In 2005, after 55 years, 15,000 hours of flight time and over a million acres sprayed, John received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award. He operated the spraying business until 2009, but continued to fly until climbing out of the cockpit for the last time in October, 2016. John was also active in the community, serving on the FSA County Community, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Whitney Creek School Board and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Therese Baldwin of Miles City, MT; twelve children: Pam (Steve) Laine of Cloquet, MN; Audrey Baldwin of Paradise, CA; Mary Snyder of Helena, MT; Dave (Helen) Baldwin of Bozeman, MT; Joe (Therese) Baldwin of Fort Collins, CO; Chuck Baldwin of Bozeman, MT; Marge (John) Knox of Oklahoma City, OK; Jean Baldwin of Tigard, OR; Pat (Steve) Thoeny of Rosebud, MT; Donna (Bill) Zachmann of Miles City, MT; Paul (Timmi) Baldwin of Covington, WA; and Jim (LaRell) Baldwin of Billings, MT; twenty six grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; a sister Sally (Bill) O’Neal of Odessa, TX; two brothers-in-law: WA Mitchell Jr of Miles City, MT and George Ciampa of Torrance, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Aud and Esther Baldwin; sister and brother-in-law, Lela (Bob) Torgrimson; sisters: Doris Ciampa and Avis Mitchell and a nephew Richard (Ricky) Torgrimson.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with a Vigil service being held at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. A celebration of his life and internment will take place in the summer. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Health Care Hospice of Miles City, Pregnancy Outreach Clinic of Miles City, or The Frontier Cancer Center, Billings MT.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana
Miles City, MT
Share
Kim R Smarsh says
Theresa and family, my deepest sympathy to you on John’s passing. What a rich full life he had! May your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
DeLynn and Angie Meidinger says
To all of John’s family:
We are saddened to hear of John’s passing.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this sad time!
Elizabeth Baldwin says
I remember when I was a very little girl, John Baldwin, my Grandfather, used to go see the barn kittens with me and let me feed the cows cow cakes.
Lisa Bastian says
Theresa & Family, know of my thoughts & prayers for John’s passing. He was truly a gentleman & had a warm smile that he shared with everyone.
Melissa Adams says
So sorry to hear of Johns passing!! Many fine memories of him from my childhood. Hugs and love sent to all!
Melissa (Brown) Adams
Jamie & Trent Hess says
We are saddened at the loss of a great man. He had many years of knowledge that he shared. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Jim & Marj Anderson says
To all the Baldwin family
So sorry to hear of Johns passing. What a wonderful remarkable man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Jack and Clare says
Dear Therese, We so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Our prayers and sympathy are with you and your family. Love Jack and Clare
James Arneson says
I have known Mr. Baldwin my entire life. His passing is such a great loss to all who know him, both family and friends. My heart goes out to your family, you are in my prayers. May God comfort you now and always.
Chris Christopherson says
My prayers are out to you Theresa and my high school classmates. May he console your hearts! He is in a better place!
Arlen And Alice Miller says
John Baldwin Family , We always enjoyed John and his visit when he would do his spraying for us , He will be missed
Mike and Linda Wyse says
Baldwin family . We are sorry for the loss of John he was an awesome man. Loved life to the fullest. He will be missed by everyone.
Bruce Wilson says
To the Baldwin family,
So many memories of the John Baldwin family, and fun times at the Baldwin Ranch . Hunting Whitetail deer , flying in the cropduster with John, those Baldwin kids that put me on a horse that took off like greased lightning !
John is truly an unforgettable old school hard-working pioneer . RIP
Beverly & Bill Newman says
Aunt Tee and family. I remember all the times I helped with hay during the summers and our family trips out to visit. Uncle John will be dearly missed. He has truly received his angle wings. Love to all
Keith and Barb Phalen Hoover says
“I Fly Lo”. John was a gentle man. Hard worker faithful to his family and friends. He was a steward of the land he so cherished! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Hugs
Keith and Barb Hoover
Troy and JoDee Hess says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. John was one of kind and and example to us all.
Theresa and Morrie Johnson says
Aunt Therese and all the Baldwin family, We feel so blessed to have Uncle John as part of our family. He will be missed and our memories of him will be cherished. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers today and always. Love to you all!!!!
Larry French says
I’m so sorry Theresa. I had great fun flying with you and John in my Cessna and Air Tractor. Landing on the roads and at home I will remember forever. My thoughts are with you.
Larry French
Marilyn & Jim May says
Our love and deepest sympathy to Therese and all of John’s family. You have always been our neighbors and will be greatly missed, so many fun memories.
Our love to each of you
Marillyn & Jim May
Dennis & Susan Bakken says
Our deepest sympathies to Therese and family.
Vernon & Janice Kaul says
Teresa & family, So sorry to hear of Johns passing. Our deepest sympathies to you.
Sherry Oster says
Dear Baldwin Family;
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Clara jo says
My thoughts and prayers are with all the Baldwin family . May all the wonderful memories of John fill your life’s daily . I remember as a child what a wonderful man John was to us kids . God Bless
Don Birkholz says
I remember working for John some 60 years ago. Remember stirring up some Russian Wild Rye seed in the granary and remember John having to fly a daughter to Miles City that had accidently swallowed some gas. Sad to hear of his passing.
Rich & Karen says
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all, May you feel Gods comfort and Peace in the coming days.
Ruben aand June Opp says
Dear Baldwin family Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, May you feel Gods comfort and peace now and in the days ahead.
Ruben and June Opp
Shumon Pius says
Condolences to you all. I am sorry for your loss. Special hello to Paul and Jim. God bless the whole Baldwin family at this time.
Chris Choate Raible says
Sending prayers to you all at this difficult time.
Take Care,
Chris
Nancy Torgrimson Gerch says
Sending love and hugs from Colorado. So many memories of Uncle John, Aunt Therese and all my cousins. I wil look forward to seeing everyone at the summer memorial. RIP Uncle John….
Rick & Dee Abbott says
To the entire “I Fly Lo” family: We enjoyed John’s Ole & Lena jokes each time he visited AgriBasics/Westfeeds!! John will be greatly missed here on earth……each time we look to the skies, we will think, “FLY HIGH, John!” Each of you are in our prayers for God’s comfort!
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Your all in our thoughts and prayers
George ” Bud” Linnell family
Karen Severson says
Sending my love from Florida. In the late 40’s Uncle John would stay at our house in Miles City when he came to town. I always remember the balloon toys he made for me. So grateful there will be a memorial get together Summer of 2017. Look forward to seeing Aunt Therese and all my cousins and other family.
Love, Karen Torgrimson Severson
Allen Ollerman says
Sorry for your loss,I always liked visiting with john he was a interesting man,he sprayed for us many years,it was fun to watch him fly,you could tell he loved it,we will miss him. Allen Ollerman and family.
Karen Losing says
Therese and family,
Sorry for your loss of John. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Pam, I see that you are residing in Minnesota. If you have time while you’re here, please call or text me at 406-951-3877. I remember our days at the college and what a great bookstore manager you were. Karen
Cora Christopherson says
Sorry for the loss of your husband and Father. Our families thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
The Christophersons
JD Arneson says
My deepest sympathy and condolences for the loss of Mr. Baldwin. I always remember his smile and quick wit whenever I’d get to speak with him. My favorite one was be out hunting and asking I’d he had seen any deer his response was nope i sure haven’t but I’m looking for hay bales not deer. He will be greatly missed
PAT HERZOG says
To the Baldwin family heaven has welcomed a wonderful man our deepest sympathy to all of you our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. .Monte and Pat Herzog
Maureen O'Reilly says
Teresa and all your family – You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I have such great memories of your family, especially the trip the Strom’s and us made out to your ranch. (We had 2 flat tires on the way home and even had to use Strom’s spare tire.) May he rest in peace.
Shannon Haley-Holmen says
So sorry about John. I was unable to go to the funeral, but I heard how wonderful and how many many people came. my prayers to you.
T. Kelly says
My condolences to the family. May fond memories from a life well lived (90 years) bring you joy. Psalms 90:10 says, “The span of our life is 70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong”. I hope you draw comfort from these memories, comfort from family and friends, and comfort from God during this difficult time, and know that by means of a resurrection, God is eager to restore life to those who have fallen asleep in death (John 5:28, 29).
Emily Huppert says
So sorry to hear of Uncle John passing. May the angels escort him to paradise, and look after his family on earth.