On May 1, 2024, John Earl Baldwin died at age 66 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born to Joy and Don Baldwin on September 9, 1957. He grew up on roller skates in the Roller Frolic in Burlington, WA, owned by his parents. In the rink, he caused trouble around every corner, needing a note to get food from the snack bar in the roller rink by age three. John graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1975. Hockey, roller skating, and roller hockey were some of his passions in his youth. Most of his career was spent in oil refineries working in numerous positions, which he would tell you all about if he were still here. Throughout his life he had many hobbies including scuba diving, engraving, fly fishing, photography, investing, skiing, and above all of those, camping with and riding his Harley Davidson.

John is survived by his father Don; daughter Krista (Johnny), stepdaughter Kathryn (Aaron); grandchildren Everly, Keith, and Kelly; sister Susan; aunt Carol; and nephew Ric. He is preceded in death by his mother Joy, sister Donna, and uncle Ted.

All the above is what is expected in an obituary, his life boiled down to a few sentences, but that cannot encompass who he was. It is impossible to put into words how much he loved his family; how alive he felt when parked on his motorcycle overlooking the ocean watching the waves crash; how he could trap strangers in conversation everywhere he went; how happy he was to take me to see the latest feel-good movie in theaters. My father was not a perfect man, his favorite quote was perfectly imperfect after all, but he became exactly what I needed, what a lot of people needed. My dad deserves more than a synopsis of his life, so here is my tribute to my dad.

After his cancer diagnosis, he helped me make a book for my daughter so she would always have a part of him with her. I asked him questions about his best memories, favorite places, childhood, what was important to him. The things he said then, when reflecting on the life he led and on what he wanted to make sure his granddaughter Everly knew should be his legacy, what we remember him for. I think his character, deep down who he was can be summed up by what he wanted written in that book. His dad was his hero, "my dad's my hero. Him and Aquaman." The most important thing in his life was his family and when asked what kept him going, kept him fighting for each day, he said family, making it to Everly's first birthday and seeing her graduate, being there for his dad, trips to visit me. His happiest memory was the day I was born. When I asked what he was most proud of, without hesitation he said me. He laughed and said honest answers come out quick. He went on to say he had a lot of accomplishments in skating, he played football, but those don't make him proud. The honest answer is me and the family I made for myself. I feel like I wouldn't believe most people if they only said things like this when reflecting on their life and everything they wanted to get out of their last bit of time, but I believe every word of his because that is truly who he was. My dad would do anything for his family, he'd do close to anything for a stranger, it's just who he was.

I could write a book of all the things my dad did in life and how many lives he touched, but that won't fill the void he has left behind. He was the perfect grandpa to my little girl, so I think the best way I can wrap this up and honor him is sharing his wish for her, the wish he honestly had for everyone. He hopes you have a "healthy, enjoyable, wonderful life. Whatever that [life] may be... I want [you] to do the best [you] can [do], as happy and healthy as [you] can be."

In lieu of flowers, please take time with the ones you love. Whether that be sharing a dessert (or two or three), going to the movies together, taking a road trip, or just sitting and spending the evening talking. Cherish the people you love and tell them how important they are to you.

No memorial service will be held.

I miss you, Dad.

Love, Krista