Lawrence Baldwin

On April 16, 2025, a day after filing his final tax day extension, former accountant Lawrence James Baldwin called it quits, taking the long nap he's strived for since founding a club in the US Army in 1959 dedicated to that very cause.
To those he loved most, he loved deeply and intensely, was filled to the brim with silly poems, sarcasm, and wit, and, God forbid, if he couldn't save you from yourself, the rage generated from his anger could electrify a neighborhood. He had one daughter, Nathalie, and, despite her efforts to keep the neighborhood bright, he'd blindly dash across busy intersections to rescue her from a stalled car.
Larry was a devout Catholic, prayed frequently, lived his life modestly, and led by example. He taxied fellow parishioners to their appointments and ushered at St. Therese Little Flower in Cincinnati for many years. He wasn't perfect but he'd reflect, apologize, learn from his mistakes, and improve. The Virgin Mother Mary, he'd say, was always watching over him and us (she was).
Living life modestly was not initially by choice. Larry, the beloved son of Irene Weber, was born on November 4, 1936, the tail-end of the Great Depression. He lived the first half of his life in Chicago, IL consuming government cheese and donning the same shirt, pants, and tie for 6 years of school photos, a frugal habit he'd continue throughout his adult life. His father of 10 months, William Douglas Baldwin II of Charleston, WV, disowned him for $56 in 1952. Thus, Larry was raised by Irene who held a full-time job, his grandparents Louisa Steffens and John Weber, and his aunt Catherine Derr, all of whom helped mold him into one of the most perfect beings to walk this earth.
After his exhilarating stint at Ft. Bliss, he obtained his CPA, found work, then compared career moves that would give him more time to go fishing with his mother. His plans derailed when he met Louise Baldwin whom he married under 8 feet of snow in Montreal, Canada in 1972.
Larry and Louise moved to Cincinnati, OH where Larry found more bliss at Lunkenheimer Co. where he'd be fired annually for his refusal to falsify their tax returns.
Fret not, the annual termination was the source of his greatest joy until dementia set in. And from this, a most sincere statement: dementia is frustrating and heartbreaking. But it was here, blissfully unaware of life's struggles, that Larry found peace and happiness. Losing a beloved husband and father was difficult but it afforded us the opportunity to meet the young man who became the gentleman we loved. And he was precious.
Surviving are his daughter and biggest fan, Nathalie Baldwin and his son-in-law, Andrew Waltz.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME, Chillicothe, Ohio. Father Christopher Tuttle will offer prayers immediately following. Burial and a graveside service for Louise and Larry will occur on May 2, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Boniface Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chillicothe's Bishop Flaget Catholic school so they can continue to encourage learning and faith-driven outreach in our community (https://www.bishopflaget.org).
You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com
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