Joe Max Baldridge

Joe Max Baldridge, 88

Joe Baldridge passed away peacefully into his Savior's arms on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 88 years old. He was known for his good sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. He was a hard worker and a wonderful provider for his family. Joe was a great husband, father, and friend.

He was born in West Tennessee and grew up on a farm. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 8. After 8th grade, his family relocated to Chicago where he finished high school. He married Robbie Jean Hopgood and had 2 daughters: Belinda Ann Boswell and Tammy Jo Baldridge. He later married Linda Faye Dinwiddie, and they moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where they had 3 children: Julie Michelle Baldridge, Jason Mark Baldridge and Jennibeth Baldridge Neal (Nevin).

In Terre Haute, Joe started an HVAC business (Joe's Refrigeration), which he operated for 15 years. During that time, the family attended Bible Baptist Church / Terre Haute Baptist School. Joe was trustee, an usher and a driver for the bus ministry at the church. He attended most of the church and school activities for many years, especially the ones his children were involved in.

In 1989, the family relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee (home for Linda), where Joe worked for John H Coleman Company until his retirement. The family attended Temple Baptist Church / Temple Baptist Academy in Powell, Tennessee. Again, Joe was involved with the church bus ministry, and he and Linda taught children's Sunday School together for several years. Joe and Linda remained faithful attenders at Temple Baptist Church until 2021.

In 2021, Joe and Linda made the move across the country to Kalispell, Montana, to be near their daughters and 10 of their grandchildren. Joe lived at Immanuel Lutheran Nursing Home from May of 2022 until his death. He relished visits from Linda and his children and grandchildren. Even through the tough days of the past few years, Joe kept a good attitude and looked forward to the day when we will all be together in Heaven.

Joe was certainly a man of faith and was a godly example to his children. He taught them the importance of living for the Lord, working hard, and family. His favorite Bible passage was Psalm 23.

Some of Joe's hobbies over the years were: attending his children's activities, model trains, swimming, sledding, family nights, fishing, and watching college football (TN Volunteers), The Andy Griffith Show and westerns such as Bonanza.

He kept his sense of humor and his love for his family until the very end. We all know he loved us, and he will be greatly missed.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Robbie, his younger brother, Gary (Mary) and many uncles, aunts, cousins and double cousins.

Joe is survived by his wife Linda; children Belinda, Tammy, Julie, Jason and Jennibeth; grandchildren Thomas Boswell (Chris), Cason Neal, Braden Neal, Colton Neal, Landon Baldridge, Dawson Neal, Molly Baldridge, Adalyn Neal, Shaelyn Neal, Jansen Neal, Benson Neal, Brookelyn Neal and Judson Neal; double cousin Linda Crutchfield Russell.

We would like to make special mention of Joe's good friends Pastor Bert Baker (his pastor at Bible Baptist Church in Terre Haute), Jerry Whitesell and Larry Kimbley, as well as the late Pastor Clarence Sexton (his pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Knoxville). Each of you (along with many others in both Terre Haute and Knoxville) held a special place not only in Joe's heart but also in the lives of his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immanuel Foundation.

There will be a Celebration of life held for Joe at 2pm Friday December 19, 2025 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.