Ronald C Baldwin (Col USA Retired) passed away at his home in Lexington, VA on Monday, Feb 15, 2016. He was born on July 6, 1936 in Savannah, GA, to Wingate and Thelma Bussey Baldwin, and lived most of his boyhood in Wilmington, NC. Ron graduated from New Hanover HS in 1954, attended NC State University one year, and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1959. Those years and lifelong friends from the fine class of '59 influenced this southern gentleman's life. Service to duty, honor and country became a natural calling, along with a faith in God that shaped all that he did. Ron received a Masters Degree in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and taught at West Point (1967-69) and after retirement spent a year at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He served in the Army for 29 years. Assignments included two tours in Germany, combat service in Vietnam( 1969-1970), Field Artillery assignments in Pershing missiles, battery command in Korea, and Battalion Command of the Training Command at Ft. Sill, OK. He was the Project Manager of Firefinder Radar at Ft Monmouth, NJ in later years. After retirement, Ron and his wife Jeri spent over 20 years in lay ministry to the military Christian communities at Ft Monmouth, NJ, and the Virginia Military Institute where they worshipped and served at the Cadet Chapel. He was a member of the Officer's Christian Fellowship, and served as the OCF representative in Lexington. He was past president of the Ft Monmouth Association of the US Army. Ron married his lifetime love of 54 years, Jeri Lynne Wright, in 1962. Her Army Brat upbringing contributed a love of adventure and travel to them both. They loved outings with their grandchildren and took all 7 to Europe. Ron enjoyed his tractors and gardening in later years. Ron is survived by his wife Jeri, daughters, Christie McSpadden, Karen Baldwin, and Janis Ours; seven grandchildren Rebekah, Miriam, Mark, Bethany, Timothy, William and Katie; brother, Wayne Baldwin, sisters, Gail Newton and Susan Walker, and many loving sons-in law, grandsons-in law, nieces and nephews. Viewing and visitation is at the Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington, VA on Sunday, Feb 21, 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Jackson Memorial Hall, VMI at 11:00 on Monday, Feb 22, 2016. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. (TBA)

Published in the Wilmington Star-News on Feb. 19, 2016