Obituary

Michael dean baldwin, born april 22, 1953, 61, the only child of the rev. Noble and wilma baldwin of charleston, local professional drummer and percussionist’s heart stopped  beating nov. 24, 2014 at hubbard hospice house west at thomas memorial hospital of congestive heart failure disease. The beat will go on in his heavenly home; he will join the angels in the heavenly band.

He was a member of west virginia federal musicians union, local  136. He could be seen playing his drums at the former “sternwheel regatta celebrations,” he also played at many local clubs, such as the charleston moose lodges, cotillions at the charleston civic center, proms and private parties. His band ‘phazes’ earned first place in the west virginia battle of the bands in 1971. He also earned the title “best drummer/percussionist” in the state of west virginia in 1971 and was featured in the charleston newspapers. Additionally, he also played with the following bands: “king soul review,” “phazes,” “kind hearted souls,” “hard road,” “spyce” and “american highway.” a charleston newspapers writer suggested michael would have been a great studio musician in l.A., nashville or n.Y. He was a former full-time employee of the west virginia department of transportation for 38 years. Upon retirement he moved to florida and returned in 2012.

Mike was a very versatile drummer. He could play gospel, jazz, reggae, soul, blues, rock ‘n’ roll (light and soft) and country music. He was an avid water sportsman who could often be seen on his jet ski on the kanawha river or at out-of-state beaches and resorts. He loved traveling, locally and abroad, with his wife dr. Deborah jones baldwin. He enjoyed studying the history of the places he traveled. In his early days he played baseball and football in middle school, and in high school he joined the school band and the music club. He was an avid swimmer. He loved nature and animals, and enjoyed philosophical discussions about poetry and lyrics. His motto to live by was “live simply, give more, expect less.” he had three-piece suits and tuxes, but loved his blue jeans and t-shirts. His favorite quotes were, “to be loved is to live in someone’s heart forever,” and a quote from michael jackson, “if you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”

mike married his high school sweetheart, debi jones, after their sissonville high school graduation in 1971.

He was preceded in death by his parents, rev. Noble r. Baldwin and wilma lee young baldwin; mother-in-law, delores vannoy jones boggess; brother-in-law, michael jones; and his grandparents.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory the love of his life, his wife and caregiver of 43 years, whom he was deeply worried about prior to his death due to her stage-3 breast cancer diagnosis, dr. Debi jones baldwin; she is a retired teacher and counselor from kanawha county schools and former professor of education at the university of charleston; two heart-adopted sons, wayne yeager and his miniature schnauzer, “sir maxwell michael,” alias “max”; special brother-in-law, alfred jones; special cousins, cindy burdette fletcher boggess and pam dearman; special friends, ron burdette, tim coll, freddie counts, sharri ballard, dr. Sondra saunders medley, diana wingate stephenson, deb miller; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and his professional musician friends.

Memorial service to celebrate michael’s life will take place at 1 p.M. Sat., dec. 6, at “the bridge of faith fellowship church,” 402 main ave., nitro, wv 25143, where mike was a drummer in the praise & worship group. Come fellowship, enjoy some music, share a memory you had with michael and enjoy some refreshments after the service. The rev. Michael ramsey, pastor, will be officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston. Condolences may be left at using the “send condolences” button above.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in michael’s name to hospice or any charity of your choice.

The family appreciates your support, love and prayers over the last two years of his illness.

At a later date, michael’s ashes will be interred in a baldwin-jones family memorial bench at tyler mountain memory gardens, cross lanes, in the last supper iii area.