John T. "Jack" Baldwin Jr.

BALDWIN
John T. "Jack" Baldwin, Jr. of San Antonio passed peacefully at home June 11, 2011 following a lengthy illness. He was born Dec. 29, 1922 in Draper (Eden), NC, the son of John Thurman Baldwin, Sr. and Etna Josephine Montgomery. He grew up on the family farm outside of Gaffney, SC graduating from Gaffney High School. Jack served in the USN from 1940-1946, spending the entire WWII period aboard USS Nashville (CL-43), earning 10 battle stars and numerous campaign ribbons. He had distinction of being the youngest Chief Petty Officer serving in the Pacific Fleet, promoted at age 21, receiving several commendations for leadership. He married Frances Carolyn Noah of Greensboro, NC in 1948. Mr. Baldwin was employed by US Rubber Company, rising to become Division Manager of truck tire sales for the Western US. In 1957 he started Fisk Tire Service in Hartford, CT which soon grew to include stores throughout the state. In later years, he operated auto and truck tire businesses in Delaware and the Washington, DC area. He began a second career in 1980 as an independent insurance broker, with CLU and ChFC accreditation from The American College. The Baldwins were residents of Bowie, MD for 27 years before retiring to San Antonio in 1993. A lifelong entrepreneur, Jack was highly involved with SCORE while living in San Antonio, becoming the South Texas Director. Mr. Baldwin was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Masonic Lodge #73 in Manchester, CT since 1961, and recently a member of Community Lodge #1201 in San Antonio. He was active with the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Baltimore, MD, as well as locally in Texas. In addition to his wife of 63 years, Jack is survived by his brother Phillip Baldwin and daughter Lynn Nowak of San Antonio, sons Robert Baldwin of Canterbury, CT and James Baldwin of Palm Bay, FL, and four grandchildren. Memorial services will be conducted at 11 AM Friday at University United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VITAS Hospice Charitable Foundation (vitascharityfunds.org).