Charles Baldwin

Charles B. Baldwin January 11, 1924 - August 9, 2011 OKLAHOMA CITY Charles Burton Baldwin entered into rest on August 9, 2011. He was born to architect Maurice Baldwin and LaRissa Dillon Baldwin on January 11, 1924 in OKC. Charles tested out of his senior year at Classen High School, going straight to OU, then the U.S. Army. Charles "Bud" landed in Normandy a few days after "D" Day, serving in the European Theater in the Corps of Engineers in WWII. In 1945, back in the USA, he attended Drury College in Springfield, Mo., and worked at Dillon Brothers Packard Dealership. This began his love affair with his college sweetheart, Frannie Brown, (and also with Packard autos). Now married with two sons, Bud joined the US Army Reserves and was activated to Korea in 1952. Returning from that war and moving to OKC, had two more sons and a 37-year career with Federal Corp. Together with his family, Charlie restored numerous vintage automobiles and enjoyed touring with the Model A Club and Horseless Carriage Club of America. "Captain Charlie" then dived into boating, achieved the high rank of Celestial Navigator in the US Power Squadron and got his Commercial Captain's License. He was prededed in death by his "first mate," his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Frances Thacker (Brown) Baldwin. He is survived by four sons; Charles Edward "Ed" Baldwin (wife Barbara), William Wallace "Bill" Baldwin (wife Susie), Thomas Henry "Tom" Baldwin (wife Brenda), and John Walker Baldwin, all of OKC; 10 grandchildren, Harper, Luke, Matt, Abbie, Tommy, Elizabeth, Jeremy, Johnny, Kari and Kurt; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilynn Mae Stevens Hopkins, Springfield, Mo.; her children, Mary Lynn "Lynnie" Ingle (husband James), David Charles Stevens (wife Pat), LaRissa Stevens (husband Marty); brother, David Dillon Baldwin, Cuchara, Colo., his children, Brent Baldwin, Louise Graef (husband Chip), Dan Baldwin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and precious friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Integris Hospice of Oklahoma County or Crohns Colitis Foundation of America CCFA.org. A special thanks to all of Charles' caregivers from the family. Memorial Services will be Saturday, August 20, 2011, at LifeChurch in Edmond, I-35/2nd St., at 10 a.m.