Lyle Baldwin

Lyle N. Baldwin

Our Husband, Father and “Papa” was born to Edward and Gladys Baldwin in Grand Junction, CO on July 25, 1948, and left us on December 1, 2021 with his family by his side.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years Betty Baldwin of Grand Junction, Daughter Jessica and Daniel Coulter of Grand Junction, Daughter Alexis and Jarrell Hendrix of Spanaway, WA, and Son Jason and Sarah Baldwin of Grand Junction.  He was a proud Grandpa to Jacobe, Macy, Garrett, Tyler, Rhya, Jillianne, Jacob, Marcus, Brenden, Delaney, Angel, and Melissa.

There will be services in the Spring, his favorite time of year, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery and a remembrance celebration with the family after.

Lyle was very proud of his time in the service and a very proud American.  If you would like to donate in his name, we ask that you donate to the Veterans Charity of your choice.

As a family we would like to share with you who this man was through our words and letters.  If you have any memories or stories about him, you would like to share we would love to hear all of them.  He is going to be remembered and missed by many.

“Hi sweetie

I didn't think I would be writing this for several more years, but you have once again surprised me.   After 50 years, I should have known better.

It's been a long and twisted road.   We had some great times, and a few rough patches, but you were always the best man I ever knew.   I tried from time to time to decide if I would have changed you, and the answer was always, always no.  You always let me be me, and I always tried to let you be who you were.

We raised three very good children.  They are very good people, and they love you very much.  They gifted us with awesome grandchildren.   That by itself is a gift.

I hope you look down from where you are and smile when you're watching over us.

I will miss you rolling your eyes at something I've done, then smiling and accepting.  And I will always love you. “  ~ Betty

“My daddy was everything.

He was devoted and loyal. He showed us how to serve our family, our community, and our country. He was a veteran of the US Navy, a time in his life he loved to share. He served as an officer of the Fruita police force and the Mesa County Sheriff's office and continued his community service as Mayor of Fruita for 2 terms (6 years!). He did a great many things for jobs... not sure he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up, but he loved being a grandpa. He taught us discipline and patience. Not that he was always that patient but if you were ever on the receiving end of a lecture you know what I'm talking about! He taught us to take care of family and our neighbors. He was strong and safe and had my back, even through the poor choices. His hugs put all my pieces back together and I don't know what I'm going to do now. Who's going to put these pieces back together. I love you daddy. I'm so sorry you suffered at any point in this. I know you’re with Jesus and I am so glad you get to hug your momma. I miss you already. I love you Dad!” ~ Jessica

“Daddy,

You have loved me, protected me, supported me, taught me and encouraged me.  I always went to you with any big decision and discussion in my life because you listened to all the little ones. I knew I could always call you, no matter how old I got, just to hear your voice and tell you I loved you and you would laugh and tell me you loved me to. Your hugs were always my comfort. As I grew older and moved away each visit meant that you were my first hug when I made it to Colorado and my last hug when I left.  I could always count on you to be in my corner.  We did not always agree, at times it seemed we were on different planets, but you have and will forever be my daddy.  You welcomed and loved all of my children and it never mattered that they were adopted. You were always the first to tell me to “spend more time with your mother” and the great advice of “you have to be nice”.  I knew what all “the looks” meant and when I had pressed my luck to far. You were tough on me, and you were also my safe place.  You listened and you talked to me, especially if I had something I really needed to say. You could be a voice of reason in my life when I was unreasonable.  You always accepted me and my choices and never stopped me from making the decisions I made, you always picked me up when I fell.  You would always show up when I needed you, even times I didn’t know I did.  You were at all the important events of my life good and bad.  I loved your stories and our road trip singing.  I loved watching YouTube with you and all the things we learned.  You made the best pancakes in the morning after being the one alarm clock I could never hit the snooze button on successfully.  I will hold tight to my memory’s daddy, and I will share them with my kids.  We will all miss you so very much, more than I can imagine.  Pet Stanley for me and hug Grammie.  I will see you in everything that I do with my life until I can get that hug again, I know you will be my first hug when I get there.  I love you Daddy!”  ~ Alexis

“Where to begin...

My father was a wonderful man. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was there for me my entire life, and always gave me the advice I needed, though it may not have been the advice I wanted. He was man of many hats to say the least. He owned and operated multiple successful businesses, was the Mayor of Fruita twice, a veteran, a former deputy sheriff, and salesman. He was the most devoted son I have ever seen and was there for his mother every single day of her life. He was my friend, and I am going to miss him terribly. As hard as it was to watch him go the way he did, I am beyond proud to have been able to grant him his last request that I, along with my wonderful mother and sisters, were there with him until the very end. Rest in peace Dad, I love you so very much, we got this from here.”  ~ Jason