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John Baldwin Obituary
Simpsonville
John Kenneth Baldwin, Jr., 72, of Simpsonville, loving husband for 49 years to Anita Navarro Baldwin, died Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Born in Florence, SC, he was a son of the late John Kenneth Baldwin, Sr., and Marjorie Christine Hatchell Baldwin.
John served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He retired from AT&T in 1995. Since 1985 he and his wife Anita have owned and operated "Anita's Mexican Restaurant". John was affectionately known as "The Hatman" and provided free entertainment to all the patrons, especially the little children who loved him dearly. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include three sons, John K. Baldwin, III, and wife Heather, Kevin Baldwin, and Joseph Baldwin and wife Brandy, all of Simpsonville; five grandchildren, Landi, Zachary, Sara, Rachel and Maizie; one sister, Grace Schlenker of Simpsonville; and three brothers, Bob Baldwin of Marietta, GA, Don Baldwin of Duncan, SC, and Chris Baldwin of Perkasie, PA. He was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Baldwin.
A Vigil Service will be held at 6:30PM on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Southeast Chapel, 1604 NE Main St., Simpsonville, with visitation to follow until 8:30PM.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Friday, May 22, 2015, at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
Entombment will be in Graceland East Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made to the Cancer Society of Greenville County, 113 Mills Ave., Greenville 29605 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville 29605.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasmcafee.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Baldwin
Jackie Fullwood Day
May 15, 2025
Ware County High School 1960 Classmates and Friends miss your laughter
Jackie Fullwood
May 15, 2025
Johnny, all your Ware County High School classmates and friends miss your laughter. You and Cynthia Jordan were voted "Friendliest ". I hope you two have reconnected in Heaven and are spreading joy all over Heaven. We miss you. The 1960 Class Ware County High
Jackie Day
May 15, 2019
I miss my friend that always made me laugh.
Parry Williams
October 22, 2015
Mrs. Anita, Keith, Kevin and Kenny I was sadden to here of the lost of Mr. John and Heather my heart is so heavy right now. I am so sorry that I was not there for you all and I pray that God will continue to comfort you and keep you through all of this. With great love Minister Parry Williams
Ken and Debra Ham
October 13, 2015
Dearest Anita, Kevin, Kenny and Keith - We are deeply saddened and absolutely devastated to have just learned of John's passing. You all are in our hearts and prayers. Our entire family thought the world of him. He always made our dinners at Anita's so much fun. Please accept our sincerest apologies for these late condolences. The Ham Family - Ken, Debra, Kendra and Kristopher.
Angelia Bailey Singletary
October 4, 2015
Anita and family, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a blessing to all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim & Theresa Neason
May 29, 2015
We just found out about your loss, we send thoughts and prayers to all of you from the Neason Family. He touched many and shared so many smiles.
Sharlene Dearman
May 25, 2015
My heart is breaking for what you are going through my friend. You boys be there for your Mom. Love you.
Mary Ellen Settlemyer
May 25, 2015
Anita, Kevin , Kenny and Keith.. my heart is heavy to learn John's death... Memories of coming into the restaurant 30 years ago, right after you opened, and meeting you all was a very special moment for Charles and I...The years of "going to Anita's for dinner" was like going to a family reunion....You all made it so by being so close to your customers that we all turned into family....Mr. John and his hats with that sweet smile will always be there with us....Anita, I feel your loss ....I have walked this same path...I love you ....Mary Ellen Settlemyer and family
Michele Brooks
May 23, 2015
Our thoughts are prayers are with your family. Mr. John, as my kids always called him, was a very special man. He could always make us smile, and we always looked forward to visiting with him. He will be missed by many.
Jerry & Warren Martin
May 22, 2015
So sorry to hear of Mr.John's passing. He was a very special person and will not be forgotten.Prayers for the family.
Jerry & Warren Martin
May 22, 2015
So sorry to hear of Mr.John's passing. He was a special person to so many and will not be forgotten. Prayers for the family
Janice Hames
May 21, 2015
Anita, Kevin , Kenny and Keith , so sorry for your loss of Mr John . We to have lost a true friend of our family . Breaks my heart but so many great memories and laughter we have shared with Mr John . He always made sure we had a fun time along with great food when we came there to eat . My love , thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of your sorrow. Thanks for the memories John . We love you the family.
Jackie Fullwood
May 21, 2015
Johnny, your laughter will be remembered...Rest in Peace....your Ware County High School friends and classmates
Honor Flight Upstate SC
May 21, 2015
We were blessed to have John on the April 21, 2015 Honor Flight Upstate SC flight to Washington, DC. His body might have weakened with the horrible disease of cancer, but his mind, and his fun loving nature did not change! We enjoyed his wit and his wonderful smile throughout the day! Kenny, I know it's a day you probably wouldn't trade for anything. I pray that the memories you made together will last through your lifetime.
We are praying for the family, and if there's anything we can do to help we stand ready.
May God bless and comfort you during this time.
Love,
Allison McDaniel State Farm
May 21, 2015
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy for you and your family.
Sue Hooper
May 21, 2015
Anita, Kenny, Kevin & Keith, Our thoughts & prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. John will truly be missed by all who loved him and his kind heart. Gary & Sue Hooper (Piedmont)
May 21, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with The Baldwin Family at this time of sorry. We have been patrons of Anita's Restaurant for over 23 years and our daughter, Hillari was very fond of John. We will miss him dearly. Love, thoughts and prayer for The Bladwin family and the employees at Anita's . Terry, Mary and Hillari Cantrell
martha shaleuly
May 21, 2015
So much love to all of you! You are in my prayers and close to my heart.
The Davis Family
May 21, 2015
You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Lane & Anne Martin
May 21, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Baldwin Family. John was a special person to so many people and to his family. Blessings are here for all of you.
Bill and Carolyn Tucker
May 21, 2015
We are so sorry and will miss John. He courageously fought the battle of cancer. Each time the cancer would return, he would always say, "I am not worried". The family are in our thoughts and prayers. He will be so missed. God bless the family and we pray he will give you peace.
Leslee (Lowder) Berlin
May 21, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Anita, I'm sending hugs!
Ben and Liz Howard
May 21, 2015
So sorry to hear the news about Mr John. My family and I have been going to Anita's since our children were very young, they are 32 and 36 now so needless to say we feel like part of the family. Mr. John was always so much fun and we loved to hear all his stories about his many adventures. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. We are remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Kenneth & Teresa Gibson
May 20, 2015
Very sorry for the loss of your loved one take comfort in knowing he is in a much better place where there's no more pain and suffering May God give you peace and comfort Praying for y'all
Nick Neeley
May 20, 2015
Condolences to the entire Baldwin Family, our prayers are with you. John was a joyous man that brought happiness to many peoples lives and he will not be forgotten! We will always remember the great man he was and our thoughts will always hold him at the highest level he deserved. There was never a time we left Anita's that he did not put a smile on someone in our families life. God Bless!
May 20, 2015
Our hearts are broken today for our dear Baldwin family. It was a priviledge and honor to know John and to share so many treasured memories. To Anita we want to say that so many people at this point worry and wonder if there was more they could have done and you dear one certainly shall never worry for that. You were and are John's everything and he yours. We pray that God will fill all of your hearts with peace and that you truly know how much we and this entire community loves and supports you. Tibitha,Tammy,Brad, Tibitha and Jordan
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
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Thomas McAfee Funeral Home - Southeast Chapel1604 NE Main St, Simpsonville, SC 29681
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