John Baldwin

Baldwin, John R, 89, of Hoover, AL passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020 at his home, watched over by his son and daughter-in-law. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, where he was best known as “Jack” or “Jackie,” and attended John Bartram High School and St. Joseph’s University. He relocated to South Florida in 1969, and then to Hoover in 2010. An avid singer, he regularly performed on one of the first broadcast TV shows in Philadelphia (“The Children’s Hour”). His high school yearbook declared: “Bing Crosby can croon, but it takes Jackie to make the girls swoon.” Despite that endorsement, he decided to not pursue a professional singing career, and instead ultimately married the love of his life—Jeannie Marker—and raised a family. He did enjoy singing in church choir in all of the parishes he belonged to for the rest of his life. Family and faith were the cornerstones of his life, and he was a founding member of St. Boniface parish in Pembroke Pines, FL. After moving to Alabama, he volunteered for over 1800 hours with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital Auxiliary, primarily at UAB’s NICU. He did this until he was 87 years of age. His uncomplaining sense of duty and his dedication to his faith, wife and family was an inspiration to his family, as well as to many that he met.

He was proceeded in death by his parents John and Mary Baldwin, wife Jean Baldwin, brothers Albert Baldwin, James Baldwin, and Robert Baldwin, brother-in-law Paul Bent, brother-in-law Ray Heneks, sister-in-law Christine Marker, and sister Mary Jane Bent. He is survived by his sister Joanne Heneks, sister-in-law Elizabeth Baldwin, sister-in-law Carol Baldwin, sister-in-law Laura Baldwin, brother-in-law Albert Marker, son Jon Baldwin, daughter-in-law Alicia Baldwin, and a host of niblings and close friends.

A Visitation will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover, AL on Monday, March 9, 2020 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM with the Funeral Mass following. On Thursday, March 12, 2020 the Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Fred Hunter Funeral Homes at 6301 Taft St., Hollywood, FL 33024. Interment will immediately follow at Hollywood Memorial Gardens, North.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that a donation be made to UAB Hospital Auxiliary. To make a donation in his honor, submit a check made out to UAB Auxiliary and note in the memo line “Honoring John Baldwin” and mail to: Attention: Joan Watkins, UAB Volunteer Service, 619 19th Street South Birmingham, AL 35249-6550. Alternatively, a donation could be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.