Samuel Baldwin

1936 - 2023

Samuel Baldwin

08/03/1936 - 04/06/2023

Samuel Leon Baldwin, 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 6, 2023 after a brief stay at the Carolina Caring Sherrills Ford Hospice House. Born on August 3, 1936 to Laverta O. Baldwin and Bessie Gillenwater Baldwin, Sam was the youngest of five sons. Sam was born and grew up in Jeffersonville, Indiana and learned the value of work at an early age. He had his own newspaper route before he was twelve, made deliveries for the neighborhood grocery, and worked at a men's clothing store. After graduating high school in 1954, Sam served in the US Army. Sam worked at General Electric while he earned his associate degree in design engineering. He started as a designer at the General Electric Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky until 1960. He then accepted a design engineering position at the General Electric plant in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he designed outdoor and industrial lighting. He was awarded more than 30 patents during the 45 years he was employed by GE. In 1961 he met Jacqueline Smith whom he married in 1962. Sam and Jackie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October 2022. Together, they raised two sons, Thomas (Donna) Baldwin of Idaho Falls, Idaho and David Baldwin of Hickory, North Carolina. Sam also loved his four grandchildren, Samantha, Joshua (Caitlyn), Daniel, and Catherine Baldwin. After living in Hendersonville, N.C. for 58 years, Sam and Jackie moved to Hickory, N.C. in 2018 to begin a new adventure.

Sam dedicated his life to his family, his church, and to serving others. Throughout his life, he could be found serving the needs of church members, friends, and associates. Among the many community organizations to which he devoted his time were the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Lions Club. No service opportunity ever seemed too challenging for him. Sam was also a highly skilled craftsman designing and building beautiful pieces of furniture, cabinets, clocks, and many other useful items from wood. He lived by the creed that if you take the time to do the work, do it right. His family members and friends were the blessed recipients of his hand-crafted work as he refused to sell his handiwork for a profit. Sam was a strong believer in the benefits of an education and devoted himself to life-long learning. He worked diligently to ensure his sons each received a college education. He was devoted to studying the scriptures and loved to share his belief in God and Christ with family and friends. Family, friends, and associates are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held in Sam's honor from 4 until 6 p.m. on Monday, April 10th, at the W.E. "Jack" Bass Memorial Building at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory, N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Carolina Caring (Hospice), 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.