John David Baldwin, Sr., 88, husband of his beloved wife Sandra (Ireton), passed from death to life, November 6th, at home with love, after a well fought battle with cancer and heart disease.
Born in Cushing, Oklahoma to the late George Donald Baldwin and Jane E. (Fields) Baldwin. He was the last of their children to survive - preceded in death by his siblings Roy Baldwin (wife Virginia), Donalda Mayo (husband Alvin), Zelda Collins, and Leola Miller (husband Don).
David, graduated from Cushing High School, and went on to attend Bethany Nazarene College (Southern Nazarene University) where he majored in agriculture until he joined the Navy in which he served 4 years. When stationed in Newport, RI he met and fell in love with his wife to whom he was devotedly married for 62 years.
He provided for his family as a toolmaker for Texas Instruments, in Attleboro, MA, where he worked for many years. He was also a jack-of-all trades and enjoyed working on cars and fixing anything around the house.
But all of this paled in light of his commitment to Christ who he served in a variety of ways some being caring deeply for his wife and family, singing with and working with many musical groups that he helped his wife lead through the years – Reach Out Singers, New Beginning, Promises, New World Singers, Emmanuel, and One Voice. He was a faithful member and leader in various positions at the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in Pawtucket and attended the Crossroads Church in South Attleboro, MA and served on the board of Portsmouth camp (where he met his wife). His passion was to share the message of the grace and love of God through Jesus Christ – the One who gave his life so we all could have life everlasting.
He was loved for his patient, quiet, lighthearted ways; his love for Christ, his wife and family; and his forgiving spirit which he would only attribute to his life in Christ.
Besides his wife Sandra of Pawtucket, RI he leaves behind his children Rhodora (Dodie) LaFountain and her husband Philip N. of Attleboro, MA; David Baldwin, Jr. of Smithfield, RI; and Rhonda Chabot and her husband James M. of Norton, MA; nine grandchildren Erin Martin (husband Wallace), Philip LaFountain, Jr. (wife Jen), Joshua Chabot (wife Jenn), Timothy LaFountain (wife Britt), David Baldwin III (wife Lyndsay), Heather Marcellus (husband Jean Paul), Elizabeth Shaw (husband David), Christopher Baldwin (wife Hannah), Daniel Chabot; and 20 great- grandchildren.
There will be calling hours Friday, November 11th from 4-7pm at Crossroads International Church (CIC) 1052 Newport Avenue, Attleboro, MA. Services Saturday, November 12th at 9:30am also at CIC and burial will follow at Woodlawn North Puchase Cemetery, Attleboro, MA.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers you would consider donating to The Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene future restart fund in memory of J. David Baldwin. You can mail those donations to c/o Ruby Fretz 12 Orford St, N. Providence 02904.
Keefe Funeral Home
5 Higginson Avenue
Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865
Telephone 401-725-4253
Thomas H. Keefe, Registered Funeral Director
Copyright 2000 Keefe Funeral Home