John Baldrige

John E. Baldrige, 82 of Washington, died Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Washington County Hospital following declining health.


Memorial Services have been set for 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Daryl Carr officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post # 29. His body has been cremated. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM Monday at the Beatty Funeral Home with family present from 5-7:00 PM. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 Monday evening. Memorials in the name of John E. Baldrige may be designated to the Washington County Hospital or the McCreedy Home.

John was born December 5, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa the son of Alfred and Charlotte (Fleming) Baldrige. He attended schools in Washington and Palo Alt, CA, where he graduated from High School.

He proudly served in the US Navy from 1946-1948 where he was a Pharmacist Mate. He worked for Iowa Southern Utilities in 1948 and Branif Airlines from 1949-1951.

From 1951-1954 he attended Iowa State College, and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He married Jean Jarc, October 16, 1954 and moved to Cresco, IA where he was employed as a Fieldman for the Iowa Farm Bureau. He later moved to Sioux City, IA to become a grain buyer for Quaker Oaks.

In 1957 John attended Law School at the University of Iowa where he graduated in June 1960. He moved to Washington and joined his father’s law firm.

During his years of practice, John served on the City Council for four years, was County Attorney for two years, served on the Washington board of Adjustment, was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and Isaac Walton League for many years. John was also a member of the American Barr Association and the American Agriculture Law Association, where he served on the board for three years. John retired September 30, 1999 after 39 years of practicing law in Washington.

John is survived by sons Matthew (Jeri) Baldrige of Columbus Junction, IA; Timothy (Diane) Baldrige of Ames, Iowa; Michael (Lori) Baldrige of Clear Lake, Iowa; daughter Katharine (Don) Barnes of Sterling, Colorado; a sister, Mary Klemm of Washington, Iowa and two nephews, John and Jim Blakeney, both of Washington, Iowa. Other survivors include 12 grandchildren; Isaac (Tara) Baldrige, Angel (Tavares) Thompson and Joe Baldrige; Nathan (Kari) Barnes and Natalie (Ty) Ingmire; Kaitlyn, Meredith, Andrew, Eric, Michelle, Alex and Courtney Baldrige, five great grandchildren; Jared and Elizabeth Ingmire; Julius and Myles Thompson and Abner Barnes.
Preceding John in death are his parents, his wife Jean (Jarc) and a sister, Charlotte Jane Krone.
John and Jean loved the outdoors and over the years enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, hiking or just walking with his beloved dog, Snoopy. He had a great love of music, having sung in a choral group while in high school and college. He also enjoyed photography, especially taking pictures of his beloved Snowy Mountains in Wyoming. John will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former clients he served for over 39 years.