Grady W. Baldwin Jr.

December 33, 1919 - January 27, 2012

Service

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Visitation 10am / Service 11 am

Marbly Memorial United Methodist Church

2645 W North Bend Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45239

INTERMENT: Spring Grove Cemetery

Life's Reflection Grady Baldwin was born on December 3, 1919 in Cartersville, Georgia to the union of Malissa Orr Baldwin Marshall and Grady Baldwin, Sr. Grady departed this life on January 27, 2012 peacefully at his residence.

Grady pursued woodworking at Summer Hill High School in 1940 and worked as a construction tradesman after high school graduation. On October 19, 1942, Grady entered the Air Force.  The B-25 bomber group at Godman Field, Kentucky.  He operated and maintained radio receiving and transmitting equipment on B-25 type army aircraft.  While at AAF Technical School at Scott Field, Illinois, he trained for and developed excellent skills in radio navigation and maintenance of very high frequency radio equipment.  To graduate from Scott Field, this training demanded that one must be able to send and receive 16 words per minute for International Morse Code.  "If you couldn't pass this speed you couldn't go into combat.  The school would wash you out!"  Grady explained.  His Yuma, Arizona Army experience included Flexible Gunnery Training.

As a Tuskegee Airmen, Grady Baldwin's Air Force career took him on cross-country adventures. He remembered his training experience as intense, informative, and exciting.  "Other people's lives were in our hands."  He once said he would never forget the great people, places, and experiences he encountered during his Air Force tenure.  "Most people didn't get the chance I had."

Grady Baldwin stated, "Due to the era there were many officers that did not want me or my fellow Tuskegee Airmen to succeed."  However, as it is written in history and illustrated in the current movie "Red Tails" Grady and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen did succeed and served as a critical factor in America's success in WWII.

Grady Baldwin was awarded The American Service Medal and The WWII Victory Medal.  More recently on March 29, 2007, The Honorable George Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen in the Rotunda of The United States Capitol.

Upon leaving the military, Grady relocated to Cincinnati, met and married Romell Crockett in 1948, together they had three children, Victoria, Whearry, and Tonya.  Romell Baldwin preceded him in death on March 26, 2007.

Throughout his life, Grady Baldwin was an exceptional provider.  He had a successfully career of 32 years at General Electric in Evendale Ohio as a jet engine inspector.  One notable accomplishment at GE was being the recipient of "The Suggestion Award".

Grady enjoyed tailoring, carpentry and sports, especially baseball and football.  He took great pride and enjoyed maintaining his yard.  During his lifetime he served his community. He was a member of the Cumminsville Community Counsel, Member of WIN Working in the Neighborhood.  He was a long life member of Marbly Memorial United Methodist Church of Cumminsville, and once was Chair of The Trustee and member of The Finance Committee.

Grady insisted, "If we can leave our children anything, it should be the motivation to pursue a great education.  If they are going in the wrong direction, they can turn their lives around!" He inspires us all to soar to lofty heights and explore new horizons.

He leaves to cherish in his memory, a son Whearry Baldwin, two daughters, Victoria and Tonya Baldwin; two grandsons, Jabari Baldwin and devoted grandson, Tharner Baldwin, one great-grandson, Darnell Baldwin and sister, Mary Marshall and niece, Annie LeaMerian Carter and a host of other relatives and friends.