Otis Eugene Baldwin, 88, known as “Gene”passed away on January 8, 2019. He was born in Asheville, NC to the latte Ollie Mae and Preston Baldwin on 15, October 1930. He was predeceased by three sisters, Dorothy Lee Banks, Margaret Ann Suface and Evelyn Christine Hall; two brothers, Samuel Oliver Baldwin and William Hugh Baldwin. Gene retired from the Fire Department in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He loved Jolliff Road United Methodist Church and had been active in the church since he joined in 1956. He was past president of the Methodist Men’s and over the years served as chairman of the Board, Trustees and Finance and was President of the John Wyant Bible Class for a number of years. He also sang in the choir for over fifty years and was a member of Tidal Wave Masonic Lodge, #273 for over fifty years. Gene held the WA4UTS Amateur Radio license and had been the secretary of the Hampton Roads amateur radio association. Gene was a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and he served in the U. S. Navy aboard the destroyer USS Barton DD722 during the Korean Conflict when his ship was hit by enemy shore battery 10 August 1952 and hit a mine 16 September 1952.
He was president of the Park Manor Civic Club for a number of years and also president of the Portsmouth Flag Associates for many years. Gene was a Disable American Veteran and was a member of DAV Chapter 22. He enjoyed camping and was one of the organizers of the “Hook and Ladder Kamp Club” made up of firefighters. Gene also served on the Railroad Museum Board and several city commissions.
His survivors include a daughter, Debbie S. Clements and husband Allen; a son, Randy Baldwin and wife Jenifer; his fiancée, Letha Young; four grandchildren, Angela Bagley, Justin Wilkes, Bryon Baldwin and Amanda Baldwin and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, January 12, 2019 in Jolliff Road United Methodist Church by Rev. Brandon Nichols and his good friend Rev. Tom Potter. Burial will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel Friday evening 7 to 8:30 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Jolliff United Methodist Church building fund, 1900 Jolliff Road, Chesapeake VA 23321.

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