Obituary of Kenneth Carl Baldwin, Jr.

Kenneth Carl Baldwin, Jr. was born September 8, 1947 in Lawton, Oklahoma, the second of 4 children born to Geneva June (Carter) and Kenneth Carl Baldwin, Sr. A musician, husband, father, minister, mentor, brother, business owner, coach and friend, Ken passed away peacefully August 4, 2014, surrounded by family. He spent his last days on earth the same way he lived life, in the grace of God and in the melody of love and music. Ken graduated with the first Senior class of Memorial High school, then studied music at the University of Tulsa. In 1968, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the US Army serving as a P.O. in Germany during the Vietnam War. Upon his discharge in 1970, Ken sang and played guitar with a rock and roll band in Tulsa called "Prophet." That year he also met the loves of his life, Ms. Linda Leos and her two children, Tracey and Bill. In 1979, Ken and Linda married and in 1980 their son, Ryan was born. Ryan was a natural born athlete and Ken quickly became his biggest fan and coach. Together they helped the Whitney Middle School Bears win the All City Championship in 1994. Ken's coaching was helpful off the field as well, Ryan's teammates led him to the local church and in 1996 Ken was called into the ministry and he faithfully picked up his cross. Ken served as a youth minister and mentor for many years at Berean Baptist Church. He carried his faith through decades, inspiring generations. He continued to play music, in church and with Tulsa's Fabulous Fleshtones. He acquired the local business Tool Center, Inc. in 2001. Survived in love and life by his adoring and dedicated wife, Linda Baldwin of Tulsa; their three children; Bill Bowles and his wife, Leah of Tulsa; Tracey Bowles and her husband, Allan Graham of Burleson, TX, and Ryan Baldwin of Tulsa. Ken is loved and cherished by his grandchildren; Maria and Haley Graham, McKenzie, Rylan and Brady Ashlock; and by his surviving brothers, Robert “Bobby” Baldwin of Las Vegas, Billy Baldwin of Tulsa and his sister, Karen Wilson of Las Vegas. Finally, by the family dogs: the precious, Gracie, his soldier, Max and the sock finding, Cami.