Jeffrey L. Baldwin, 82, passed away on June 26, 2024. Jeff was born on Nov. 29, 1941 in Whittier, California to Frank & LaVerne Baldwin. Jeff grew up up in Hawthorne, CA with his parents, his twin brother, Gregg, and younger brother, Ron.

Jeff graduated from Hawthorne High School where he attended at the same time as The Beach Boys. After high school he attended Long Beach State College and then Pepperdine University where he received a BA and MA in English education. He taught English in junior high, high school and also at Brigham Young University for a total of 37 years. His exceptional teaching touched the lives of thousands of students. One of his students wrote a novel and dedicated it to him.

He had an outstanding reputation as a teacher and received many accolades during his career. He was nominated as Utah's Teacher of the Year for Alpine School District. Jeff also received Mt. View High School's Teacher of the Year and the Golden Apple Award. He was loved and appreciated by all he taught.

Jeff was a voracious reader and didn't hesitate to share his recommended book list to anyone (you can see his recommended reading list below). He enjoyed traveling the world, especially Hawaii, Europe, and anywhere with a beach. In his later years, he enjoyed working in his yard daily, chasing after every leaf. He also loved spending time with his family. He had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke.

Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Jonnetta Baldwin, his eternal partner of over 50 years, his sons Troy and Todd Baldwin, and his daughter Melanie (Kory) Garner. He and Jonnetta had four grandsons, Matthew, Jason, Jack, and Tyson. He was proceeded in death by his father, mother, twin brother, and his younger brother.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff loved his Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine for many years. He has now returned to his Father in Heaven where we are certain he enjoyed a joyous reunion and hugs with those waiting for him on the other side.

He was loved by many and will be sorely missed.

Jeff's Recommended Reading List

The Kite Runner by Khlaed Hosseini

The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison

Shining Through by Sue Isaac

Three Blind Mice by Ed McBain

We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce C. Oates

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Doctors by Erich Segal

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The King of Torts by John Grisham

Praying with the Enemy by Collis

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

Family of Liars by Lockhart

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

The Silence of God by Sears

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren