C. Jay Baldwin

1952 - 2015

C. Jay Baldwin went to be with his Lord on June 4, 2015, as a result of a tragic ground accident in his beloved "bush" in Alaska. At the time of Jay's death, he was on a touring expedition and in attempting to stop a nearby parked plane that had jumped it's chock, was struck by the prop of his own plane when the moving plane nudged Jay's and changed the position of Jay's aircraft. Jay was born on Nov. 21, 1952, in Brattleboro, Vt. He grew up in the "little" outdoors of Dummerston, Vt., learning, hunting and fishing. In 1970, Jay graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and started his journey and lifelong goal to be a pilot when he was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, he was involved in glider flying. Upon graduating from the Academy with a degree in Astronautical Engineering, he attended pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. He returned to Reese and became a much loved T-37 and Academics instructor. During is six year commitment to the taxpayer for providing him his education, he met the love of his life, Sandy. They married on Nov. 27, 1981, and decided to move to Great Falls, Mont., where the "Big Sky Country" provided him a place to play, as well as a job with Montana Air National Guard. C. Jay Baldwin's family grew to seven and for 15 years Jay flew and honed his piloting skills, piloting T-33s, F-106s and F-16s. In 1989, Northwest Airlines hired Jay to fly the Boeing 727 and 747. Being an incredible husband and a loving father to five children, flying fighters and holding down a fulltime airline job, Jay still managed to explore the wilds of Montana and pass on his love of hunting and fishing to his kids. He opened his heart to the Lord and obeyed the gospel call with his family church at Central Avenue Church of Christ. On retirement from the National Guard with the rank of Lt. Col., Jay took his family north to the "Last Frontier." There, due to his desire to teach "Survival Flying," he established the Alaska's Cub Training Specialists, an instructional and touring business using his beloved PA-18 Super Cubs. In 2013, Jay retired from Northwest, which had become Delta, and dedicated his time to his true passion teaching others to fly. Jay's life was devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He planted many seeds living the life of a man dedicated to God. He joined the Valley Church of Christ family in Wasilla, Alaska, where he grew as well as mentored those around him for Christ's cause. If Jay could voice his feelings he would say, "It is well with my soul, hug your loved ones and if you are a pilot, keep flying!" Jay spent his life doing what he loved. He radiated happiness, everyone was his friend and no one was a stranger. He was much loved and will be even more missed. Jay is survived by his wife, Sandra M. Baldwin; son, Robert J. Baldwin; son, Steve J. Baldwin; daughter, Jamie M. Geis; daughter, Kimberly Fierstos; son, Mark Apuna; father, David H. Baldwin; brother, Scott D. Baldwin; sister, Donna D. Berera; and sister, Diane L. Post. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. in AKDT at Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. Instead of flowers please donate to the Valley Church of Christ (church@akvcoc.com) building fund in care of Robert Kuenning. Jay's heart was deeply involved in this project and it would honor him to know others appreciated his interest. Arrangements are with Janssen's Mat-Su Funeral Home.