James Playfair Baldwin

James Playfair Baldwin, 95, born on Nov. 4, 1919, in Detroit, Michigan, and a long-time resident of Crowley, passed away peacefully at his residence on the morning of June 1, 2015, with his family at his side.
He was a World War II veteran, having proudly served his country in the United States Navy beginning in August 1940 upon his enlistment in the United States Naval Reserves. He was appointed a midshipman in the Naval Reserves in March 1941, commissioned in the Navy as an ensign in June 1941, with his final promotion and rank to lieutenant commander in October 1945. He remained in the Naval Reserves until October 1955. During his service in the Navy and in addition to other positions on other naval craft including the USS Arkansas, he was the commanding officer on the LSM 348 landing craft, commanding officer on the YMS 41 mine sweeper, communications officer on the YMS 67 mine sweeper and the senior assistant engineering officer on the USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) escort carrier.
In civilian life, he retired from Chevron USA in 1984 after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Masons Grand Lodge of Louisiana F. & A.M. Post 364 and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Crowley. He loved the sea and sailing, as well as travelling throughout the world with the love of his life, Julia Lane Baldwin, who preceded him in death in October 2011 after 69 years of marriage. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also great-grandson of the late Captain Richard King, founder of the King Ranch in south Texas.
He is survived by his sister, Virginia A. (Ginny) Baldwin Fike of Thousand Oaks, California; his two sons, Richard Scott Baldwin of The Woodlands, Texas, and Bruce James (B.J.) Baldwin and wife Brenda Courville Baldwin of Lafayette; and his two daughters, Mary Elise Baldwin of Baton Rouge and Lane Baldwin Breaux and husband Brian of Baton Rouge; three grandchildren, Melanie Breaux Norwood and husband Mike of Schaumburg, Illinois, Rachel Breaux Fryoux and husband Jonathan of Watson and Michael James Baldwin of Austin, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Paige Fryoux of Watson. He is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julia Lane Baldwin; his parents, James Playfair and Elise Atwood Baldwin Sr.; and his siblings, Elise A. (Babs) Baldwin Vasu and Henrietta K. (Hetta) Baldwin Miller.
The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the outstanding, caring and dedicated staff and management of Southwind Assisted Living, his many doctors, including Dr. Nancy Walker, and the excellent and benevolent hospice care staff, including. Fr. Francis Fontenot, of Family Choice Care in Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions can be made “In Memory of James P. Baldwin” either by mail to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675, or their website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
A brief memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at 321 E. Third St. in Crowley, with a reception to follow immediately after the ceremony.