Larry Alfred Baldwin

Larry, or "Skip" as his friends and family called him, was born in Fort Sumner, New Mexico in 1934 as the middle of five children. Life was hard in the years following the Great Depression, and his family took solace in extended family gatherings during his childhood years in Sunset, Texas.

Skip had many good memories of growing up in Texas, but eventually the family moved to Long Beach in 1946. Skip and his brother and sisters attended Long Beach schools. While his mother worked as a nurse at Long Beach Community Hospital, Skip helped to care for his four siblings, and any spare time was spent working throughout his school years to augment the family's income, an experience that created a strong work ethic throughout his life.

He graduated from Long Beach Wilson High School in 1953, and married Sally Bailey in 1955. They had met while classmates at Hamilton Jr. High School. They purchased a home in east Long Beach, and he began working as a carpenter. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957, and following basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey California, he served in Germany as part of the 11th Infantry Division. He and Sally had two sons, Mark and David in 1962 and 1965 respectively.

Skip excelled as a carpenter and worked on many projects throughout Southern California and Hawaii. He advanced up the ranks to journeyman and became a foreman at Wavell Showcase, leading the on-site installation of cabinetry, desks, and decorative paneling, coffered ceilings and moulding in banks and corporate office suites.

His passion for this type of work fueled a lifetime of home improvement projects and residential kitchen remodels. Through patience and practice, he quickly became skilled at many trades, including painting, masonry, roofing, and plumbing. Over the years, he acquired a
great many tools, hardware and fine woods that sustained his projects well into retirement.

Skip was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a wonderful father-in-law. He placed great importance on visits and conversations with family members and friends. Being from Texas, he never met a person he could not talk to. If you were not a friend when you met him, you were by the time you left.
He was active in Indian Guides and Scouting with his sons. He was a great teacher and mentor and a model of integrity. When grandchildren entered the picture, Skip found much pleasure in doting on and visiting them. Most days he would call to inquire, "What are the kids doing today?" He never tired of hearing what they were up to. His grandkids have fond memories of going to In-n-Out burger with "Papa", discussing their latest adventures or fiddling around in the garage with him.

Skip is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sally, sons Mark (Alice) and David, brother Howard and sisters Fay and Kay, and grandchildren Sarah, Michael, and Matthew.

The family wishes to thank all who have helped the family through the difficult times since his passing, and those who showed care and compassion to him during his recent hospitalization.

His guidance, love and compassion will be missed always