Don Earl Baldwin

Don Earl Baldwin (1941-2026) passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, at the age of 84 in New Albany, Indiana.

Over 60 years ago, Don found the Lord, his wife Judy, and the gift of singing—nearly all at once. With a new calling on his life, he began his ministry by holding church services in the local county jail with a few inmates, equipped with nothing more than his voice and the only instrument he could afford…an old ukulele.

As time went on, Don and Judy shared in a music ministry that continued to grow. They served in various local churches, leading congregational singing and choirs. Though architecture was Don’s profession, his true passion was singing for the Lord and leading others to Christ. Growing up, our weekends often included church members gathered in our home around the piano, rehearsing for hours—solos, duets, and quartets filling the house with music. The joy on every face reflected a shared faith and love of song. Our Sunday mornings began with Mom at the piano and Dad singing hymns for the upcoming service. Those hymns still live on in the hearts of my sister and me.

As children, we always knew we weren’t necessarily rich in a financial sense, but we were incredibly wealthy in what mattered most—being raised in a home filled with old hymns, choir music, songs of praise, and the abiding love and joy of Christ. And it all began with Don’s calling—and an old ukulele.

Today, our city and surrounding neighborhoods stand as a testament to Don’s creative, architectural mind, with many buildings, schools, and churches bearing his influence. Yet what stands out most are the countless lives he touched and the people he led to the Lord through his gift of music.

As the years passed, it became more difficult for Don to continue his ministry. Churches changed, people changed, and his health declined. A few years ago, he made the difficult decision to set his music aside, believing he had fulfilled God’s calling on his life.

However, after Judy’s passing last October, Don entered an assisted living facility. While battling heart failure and struggling for each breath, he felt the Lord reminding him that he wasn’t finished yet. Within weeks of his arrival to the facility, using every bit of strength he had, Don began leading a Sunday morning service once more for a small group of seniors—armed again with only his God-given voice… and his old ukulele.

I can only imagine what he’s doing right now. My guess, the angels in heaven are playing old hymns on their harps while Don joins in singing with his beautiful booming voice and still playing his old ukulele. Don is preceded in death by his loving wife Judy Baldwin; his brother Wayne Baldwin; and his parents Oral Baldwin and Maxine Baldwin. He is survived by his children: Joy Adams (Bill) of Brandenburg, KY; Stephen Baldwin (Annette) of Lanesville, IN; and his grandchildren: Kelsey Karram, Cassidy Adams, Adeline Baldwin and Eleanor Baldwin.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held Monday, April 20, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in New Albany, IN. Visitation will be from 10:00 am -1:00 pm. Funeral service at 1:00 pm.

Please consider sharing a memory of Don or leaving a special message for his family by completing the online Guestbook below.