David Dillon Baldwin 7-23-1925 ~ 3-16-2014 David Dillon Baldwin, often lovingly referred to as “Davey” by his family and friends, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014 on the same full moon that shone six years earlier during the passing of his wife, Dianne. Dave passed peacefully and with ease, surrounded by his loved ones, both near and far. Dave Baldwin was born July 23, 1925 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Maurice and LaRissa “Abigee” Baldwin. After graduating from Classen High School, Dave joined the Army Air Corps where he served from 1943-1945. Shortly thereafter, Dave studied geology at the University of Oklahoma while concurrently designing and developing Baldwin Estates in Oklahoma City with his father. In 1957 he married the love of his life, Dianne (Diney) and, eleven years later, they, along with their four children, moved to Cuchara, CO where they purchased the Cuchara Country Store and embarked on their new lives together. During his 46 years in the valley, Dave, alongside Dianne, owned, operated, built, and managed a
number of businesses in the area, including The Cuchara Country Store, The Dog Bar, the Timbers, and La Veta Lumber. When he wasn’t building homes and running businesses, Dave was digging for gold in the mountains, wheeling and dealing in antiques, and, in his later years, hotwiring his golf cart for a quick drive around town. “Full speed ahead in any direction! I used to have direction, but now it’s just full speed ahead!” Dave had a positive attitude and an open heart and there were truly no strangers in his life. He is remembered by friends, family, and employees alike as a warm, welcoming soul who always had time to offer a greeting, support, guidance, or just a few kind words. His two words to live by were “ forgiveness and acceptance”. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and LaRissa; his brother, Charles; and his wife, Dianne. He is survived by his his sister, Marilynn Hopkins; his four children, Daniel Baldwin, Brent Baldwin, LaRissa Morris, and Louise (Chip) Graef; five grandchildren, Annalee (Russell) Hickey, Alicia Morris, Nicole (Brent) Sudderth, Justin Baldwin, and Megan Thacker; five great-grandchildren, Kaden, Carson, Lydia, Nevaeh, and Lillian; his nieces and nephews, David, LaRissa, Lynn, Edward, Bill, Tom, John, Michael, and JJ; his brother-in-law Marc Armstrong; and a lifetime’s worth of friends. We love you Davey. A memorial service will be held this summer with the specific time and place to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Cuchara Chapel on their website www.cucharachapel.org or by mail to Cuchara Chapel, PO Box 796, La Veta, CO 81055.
