James Wallace Baldwin, Jr.

Mr. James Wallace Baldwin, Jr., passed away in the evening on May 12, 2026. Born on August 27, 1956, he was one of two children of the union of Mrs. Adelaide Carter Baldwin and Mr. James Wallace Baldwin, Sr. Mr. Baldwin attended Maitland Elementary School and was the first African American Drummer in the Winter Park High School Matching Band. He also displayed his musical skills as a Percussionist with the Marching Wildcats ("The Pride") while attending Bethune Cookman University. Mr. Baldwin enlisted and became a member of the United States Army. He served a tour of duty at the largest U.S. overseas military base which was in South Korea. He faced and experienced North Korean hostilities to the point of being shot at while on duty. Under the Divine Protection of God, he returned to the USA and served a Tour of Duty at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Home of the 82"d Air Borne Division. He was assigned to the Kennedy Center for Military Assistance, Special Operations, Special Services, and Military Intelligence. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was as a Combat Truck Driver from October 3, 1978 until October 3,1981. He received an Honorable Discharge from Fort Bragg. He was also in the Army Reserve Unit in Tampa, Florida between October 4, 1981 until July 1, 1990, where he again received an Honorable Discharge. While residing in Maitland at the Baldwin Estate, built and developed in 1915 by his Grandfather Kelly Baldwin, Mr. Baldwin did volunteer work for the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community. He also served for several years as the Cemetery Manager for Eatonville Memorial Gardens for which the land was acquired by Kelly Baldwin and three friends so that deceased African Americans would have a place to rest in peace during times of systemic segregation. Mr. Baldwin was described by two of his closest neighbors in Maitland as follows: "James was a kind and gentle soul with a sharp mind, warm heart, and kind eyes. Life was not always easy for him, but he remained gracious and good. We will always remember his sweet smile and the quiet chuckle he shared when something amused him. We feel blessed to have known him and to have called him our neighbor and friend." James ("Dippy") will forever be loved by and in the hearts of his one sister, Ms. Jeannine Baldwin of Oak Park, Illinois; his one nephew, Mr. Barry Irving of Chicago, Illinois; his first cousins Ms. Carolyn Williams of Washington District of Columbia; Mrs. Janice Johnson of Washington Township, New Jersey; Mrs. Yvonne Brown of Lanham, Maryland; Mr. Ronald Russell and his wife Edwina of St Augustine, Florida; and other family members and friends. " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

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James Wallace Baldwin, Jr.

August 27, 1956 - May 13, 2026