Jeffrey Waldron

1943 - 2023

Jeffrey Lynn Waldron, a beloved husband, father, papa, uncle, and friend, passed away on November 12 following a long battle with multiple myeloma and finally, complications from COVID.Jeff was born on May 29, 1943 in Canton, Illinois to Mel and Betty Waldron. He was proud of his rural upbringing, and his humble beginnings taught him the value of honest labor, perseverance, and a loving home. As a student he competed on his school's football, basketball, and baseball teams and developed a lifelong love of participation in choral music. He was a diligent worker from the age of 12, prompting one of his early employers to encourage him to attend Hope College in Holland Michigan. There he met his future wife, Trudy Van Dyk. He would later say that his most significant achievement was convincing her to marry an impoverished farm boy, a success from which all the other blessings of his life flowed.Following their wedding in 1966 Jeff served as an officer in the US Navy. After assignments in Florida and Rhode Island, Jeff and Trudy eventually landed in San Diego where Jeff completed his naval service, earned his MBA, served in the naval reserves, and most significantly, welcomed their first child, Melanie. In 1972 they relocated to Orange County and Jeff started working as an auditor for the General Accounting Office. Daughters Christine and Laura were born soon thereafter.In 1977 Jeff and his family moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where he audited federal spending throughout Europe and Africa. He loved working with locals and learning about their cultures, and found the auditing to be a good fit for his accounting skills and fiscal responsibility. Many of his colleagues would become dear and lifelong friends. It was in Frankfurt that Jeff's youngest daughter, Laura, died of a brain tumor at the age of 3. Already a man of deep faith who was committed to his family, this loss reinforced his desire to be a loving husband and father, and a humble, servant-hearted friend to everyone he knew.In 1981 Jeff and his family relocated to Redlands and quickly became involved in various community and church groups. Jeff spent the final seventeen years of his career working at the Air Force Audit Agency. Following his retirement, he was on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, the Fortnightly Club, the Redlands Conservancy, and the Redlands Bowl Performing Arts (RBPA), where he served as president and Chairman of the Board. He devoted thirteen years as the volunteer manager of the RBPA's Mission Gables Bowl House restoration. He was named Man of the Year by the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, the Man of Distinction by the University of Redlands Town and Gown, a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club, and a Hero for the Arts by the RBPA. Although he was greatly honored by these awards, he spoke of his service with deep gratitude, thankful that he had opportunities to use his accounting and construction skills, work with wonderful people, and create lovely and lasting contributions to the city that he loved.Jeff will be remembered as a man of deep faith and impeccable integrity; a follower of Jesus, who took seriously the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God; a CPA who was more at home landscaping a public project in his bib overalls than wearing the suit and tie he wore to work every day; an avid walker who could point out a tree's interesting root structure and explain its ecological, agricultural, theological, and literary significance; a lover of classical music who couldn't name the four Beatles but bought a birthday cake each year for Johann Sebastian Bach; a scholar of life who was always eager to learn more about almost any topic, however obscure; a beloved dad, papa, and uncle who not only loved his daughters, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, but actively delighted in each of them as very special individuals with their own interests and personalities; an attentive brother to his two sisters and his many sisters- and brothers-in-law; and a friend for all seasons. Most of all, he will be remembered as the devoted husband of 57 years to his beloved Trudy in a marriage that was inspirational to all who knew him.Jeff is survived by his wife Trudy, his daughters Melanie Medlin (Scott) and Christine Corneille, his grandchildren Annie (Zeke), Sam (Alison), Claire, and Seth, his sister Carol Day, and many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Mel and Betty Waldron, his sister, Paula Waldron, his daughter, Laura Waldron, and his son-in-law, Kevin Corneille.In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jeff's honor to Redlands Family Services. A celebration of Jeff's life will be held at First Baptist Church of Redlands on Saturday, December 2 at 2pm.