James Albert "Red" Baldwin

James Albert “Red” Baldwin, 90, of West Asheville, died May 19, 2021, at the Charles George VA Hospice Center.

Mr. Baldwin was born in Madison County and was a son of the late Lattie J. and Cleta Worley Baldwin. He was preceded in death by his wife and sweetheart of over 63 years, Mary Ruth Baldwin.

He was proud of his military service during the Korean Conflict. He served at DET 2 506TH REPL CO, 6th ARMD DIV FT Leonard Wood Missouri as an optical technician. He rose to the rank of corporal and received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.

He retired from a successful career as an optical technician for B&L and later POL. He was a very hard working man especially in his three favorite areas: vegetable garden, flea market and firewood.

Surviving are his children, Mike Baldwin and his wife, Martha, of Black Mountain, Danny Baldwin and his wife, Brenda, of Asheville and Ronnie Baldwin and his wife, Lesa, of Chinquapin; grandchildren, Megan Searcy and her husband Eric of Rosman, Tanner Baldwin and his wife Amanda of Waynesville and Chase Baldwin and his wife Trish of Weaverville, Jennifer Patton of Black Mountain, and Jason Gill and his wife Sheila of Swannanoa; and great-grandchildren, Kannon, Gracyn, Easton, John Luke and Rhett Searcy of Rosman, and Abbie and Cole Baldwin of Waynesville, Aubrie Baldwin of Weaverville, Austin Edwards and his wife Stacie of Nebo and Asia Patton of Black Mountain; and great-great-granddaughter Emma Edwards of Nebo.

The funeral service will be held Friday, May 21 at 2 PM in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Rev. Tim Warren officiating. Burial will be at Pisgah View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

A special thanks from all the family to the staff at Charles George VA Medical Center for their exceptional care and kindness during this difficult time.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.