Thomas Vance Baldwin

Thomas Vance Baldwin passed peacefully in the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi on November 8, 2022 at the age of 84 years and 2 months.

He was born September 8, 1938 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Wayne and Edna (Kehler) Baldwin.  He graduated from Emporia High in 1956.  He married Katy Driscoll Clemmons on December 23, 1995 in Milton, Florida.  She preceded him in death on November 28, 2006 at home in Milton, Florida.

Tom joined the Air Force on October 9, 1956 and went to basic training at Ellington A.F.B. in Texas.  He worked in Security on missiles.  After he retired, he worked as a security guard at the nuclear site in Burlington, Kansas and later in Wichita at several banks.

He was stationed in England from 1958 to 1960, and Puerto Rico from 1961-1965.  While in Puerto Rico, he was the only one on base with top military security clearance and had to guard President Johnson’s plane.  He was stationed at March A.F.B. in Riverside, California from 1965-1967.  Then did a TDY to Guam for 6 months loading bombs on B52’s, and back to California from 1967-1969. He was then at McConnell A.F.B. in Wichita in 1971, went TDY to Ubon, Thailand for 1 year, and back to McConnell.  He retired from the Air Force October 9, 1976 after serving 20 years.

He is survived by brother James Baldwin and wife Mary of Douglass, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews. Niece and nephew Patty Mayes and Ken Stair have been wonderful caretakers helping with his personal needs, especially during the last few months.  The family is especially grateful to them.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 2:00 at the Patio Garden in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia Kansas with military honors by Ball-McColm Post #5 American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  A memorial has been established with All Veterans Memorial in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.