|
|
Vernon R. Baldwin
February 25th, 1941 - July 25th, 2011
|
Visitation:
07/28/2011 at 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Princeton Pike Church of God
6101 Princeton-Glendale Road
Hamilton OH, 45011
|
Funeral Service:
07/28/2011 at 1:00 PM
Princeton Pike Church of God
6101 Princeton-Glendale Road
Hamilton OH, 45011 |
|
|
|
|
Vernon R. Baldwin, age 70, owner and president of Baldwin Broadcasting passed away at his home on Monday, July 25, 2011, following a courageous struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a devoted Christian and deeply loved by his family and friends. Many who knew Vernon attest to the powerful impact he had on their lives and careers.
He was born on February 25, 1941, in Jackson County, Kentucky to Walter and Edith (Price) Baldwin. He was educated in the Jackson County School System. On June 1, 1962 he was united in marriage to Marcella (Vaughn) Baldwin in Hamilton, Ohio.
Vernon worked on his family farm until leaving Kentucky at age 17. In 1966, he opened Tidy House Furniture in Hamilton, Ohio, later changing the name to Plaza Home Furnishings. He successfully owned and operated his furniture business for 22 years. Vernon was affectionately known by his customers and many friends as "Cousin Vern".
In 1984, Vernon made the transition into the broadcasting industry with the purchase of radio station WCNW 1560 AM in Fairfield, Ohio. In 1990, the FCC granted him the license for WNLT 104.3 FM. It was the first license granted in 22 years, as well as the last available frequency in the Cincinnati area. In gaining this license for WNLT, Vernon achieved his dream of bringing 24-hour Christian music to the Tri-State. In 2002, he realized his goal of attaining well-known Butler County radio station WMOH 1450 AM. He continued his role as president of Baldwin Broadcasting throughout his life. Baldwin Broadcasting is comprised of WNLT 104.3 FM (Cincinnati, Oh), WCNW 1560 AM (Fairfield, Oh), WMOH 1450 AM (Hamilton, Oh), WKLN 102.3 FM (Wilmington, Oh), WVRB 95.3 FM (Nicholasville/Lexington, Ky), WWLT 103.1 FM (Manchester/London, Ky) and WKYB 105.9 FM (Burgin, KY).
Vernon was a charter member of the YMCA and served on the executive board for many years. He valued his affiliation with the YMCA and developed many friendships at the Y. Vernon attended Princeton Pike Church of God. He was formerly Chairman of the Board at Hamilton Christian Center, where he attended for many years.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Marcella; children, Melissa and Curtis Jackson, Susan and Chris Theiss; grandchildren, Courtney and Craig Baker, Chase Jackson, Chad, Makenzie, and Gabrielle Theiss; sisters, Carol (King) Streater and Betty (Bill) Rudder. He is further survived by nieces , nephews , other relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lonnie Baldwin , his parents, Walter and Edith Baldwin and in-laws Lenox and Bessie Vaughn.
Funeral services for Vernon R. Baldwin will be held at Princeton Pike Church of God, 6101 Princeton-Glendale Road, on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Barry Clardy, Rev. Johnny Wade Sloan, and Rev. Darlene Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the church.
MEMORIALS: The family requests memorial contributions be made to K-Love Radio at klove.com or to K-Love Radio, P.O. Box 2098, Omaha, NE 68103 or to Operation Serve, P.O. Box 18070, Fairfield, Ohio 45018
 | | Allen & Teresa Cheek | | We are sad for your loss and praying for the Lord's comfort...that only He can give. | | | April Phipps | | I want to express my love and condolences to the entire family. I have nothing but wonderful memories and great love for Vernon :) This family means more to me than I can possibly write on a message board. Thank you Vernon, Marcie, Missy and Susan for being like a second family to me. I know that heaven is richer today because Vernon is there. And we are all richer because we were blessed to have known him. May God's perfect love and peace be with you all! | | | Bennie & Debbie Fields | | We remember meeting Vernon for the first time & that's all it takes, you'll never forget him. He was a wonderful person. Our prayers are with the family in this time of loss. | | | Bruce Ellis | | I worked at WCNW in the late 70's and early 80's and had the privilege of working with Vern when he was doing his radio show from his furniture store. Not only was he a great businessman, he was also a wonderful and caring person. I have many fond memories of "Cousin Vern". He will be missed. | | | Dean & Dorothy (Moore) Carpenter | | So sorry to hear about the death of Vernon. We lived neighbors to Vernon's family in Jackson County of many years and there are so many memories of our childhood there. May God bless those who are left to mourn his passing. | | | Dennis Kidd | | My first introduction to "Cousin Vern" was in the early 80's when he owned Plaza Home furnishings in Hamilton. He had a live Gospel music program on WCNW where I worked part time and I had the honor of putting his program on the air. It was my first introduction into live radio and on air talk radio. Even though I didn't get to see Vern that often in person when we did we always greeted each other with a big hug. It was very clear to me back then that he had a deep love for gospel music, people, and family. Most importantly a deep and committed love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Vern was a quiet unassuming man, a driven buisness man, but that could not be overshadowed by his drive and passion to promote Gospel music and the name of Jesus. He may not have been the Pastor of a church with thousands of worshipers every Sunday, but Vern was certainly in ministry to countless souls who turned their radio on and heard the word of God and the word of hope. Vernon will be missed but his legacy and ministry continues. I offer my prayers for comfort for Marci and his family. We'll see you again Cousin Vern! Thank you.
Dennis Kidd | | | Doug & Nikki Stempfley | | Vernon was one of the best spirited person I have met. Knowing him all my 46 years and growing up with his daughters Missy & Susan, there was many fun memories at picnics and church gatherings. One thing about him was when he said something to you he followed through with it. He was how a Christian man is supposed to be in business and outside. Vern was the same no matter where he was. He was a true leader and example. And always had a GREAT smile. We will miss him. God has blessed us all with knowing him. Prayers are going out to Marcella Missy & Susan and all of the family. | | | Ed & Dorcas Byington | | We're so sorry for your loss. We loved Vernon, and we love your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we know God will give you comfort, strength and peace. Love & Prayer, Ed & Dorcas | | | Gary The Cowboy Gabbard | | What can I say. I have been associated with WCNW for the past 44 years and Cousin Vern and his family have been cherished friends for that long as well. Cousin Vern was my friend, by boss and my brother in Christ. He felt more like a brother than a friend and I will miss him but but always fondly recall all the years of memories until I can see him again walking those Holy Hills of Heaven. Marce, Susan and Missy and your families, Carolyn and I love you all tremendously and pray God's comfort on all of you. Vern gave me a chance at a critical juncture in my life when no one else would. I will NEVER forget that. But that is the kind of person Vern is!!!!! | | | Gene and Ethel huff | | With deepest love, appreciation and fondest memories. | | | Harvey West | | He was good man with a good heart and a beautiful spirit. I was blessed to have known him through the years. He will ALWAYS be in my heart. My prayers are with the entire Baldwin family. | | | Jerry and Sheila Klems | | My wife and I love WCNW and it's sad to see it's owner be called home. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Baldwin family. | | | Judy McKinney Wilson | | Love and prayers to the family during this most difficult time. BJ, stay strong and know that you have friends in Ky thinking of you. | | | KATHY RICE | | I am so sorry for your loss of Vernon . My prayers go out to you Marcie and your children and grandchildren . It was a pleasure to have known Vernon , i know he will be greatly missed by many !!!! | | | Kim Putnam | | My condolences go out to Marcella & the Family....I remember going in to Plaza Home Furnishings as a kid and seeing "Cousin Vern". He was a very special man and will be missed greatly...Our prayers will be with you during this time of loss. | | | Linda Mullins Jones | | I am the cousin who was raised by Vernon's Aunt Ellen Baldwin Mullins.Vernon's visits to her home during my childhood are very fond memories.These visits always made Grandma happy.One of these visits stands out in my mind, the one when ,during the frniture business days,Vernon gave Grandma a beautiful, wood framed picture of a cabin in the mountains. This picture still hangs in Grandmas home. I am saddened with and for the family. My most sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all. | | | Lisa Lindsay McAfee | | So sorry to hear about Vern. You are in my prayers. | | | Lonnie & Linda Hacker | | We are so sorry to hear about Vernon wish we could be there with you. If there is anything we can do please feel free to let us know . | | | LOYD GIBSON | | I,m sorry to hear of your loss.Vern was a great man and I considered him a friend. Love and Prayers-Loyd Gibson | | | Marilyn Garrett Pierce | | My sympathy goes out to Marcella and everyone else that loved Vern. | | | Randall & Linda Jackson | | Dear Family, we are so sad for our loss of Vernon and send our love and prayers. Holy Spirit thank you for you are our Comforter, In Jesus Name! | | | Randy Smith | | So many memories of a great man! Vern hired me as a teenager delivering furniture. When Sheila and I got married in 1982, we lived in a little single-wide trailer on Dixie Hwy. Vern would come into our trailer park with his 500 SEL Mercedes convertible to pick me up to go work out at the YMCA and spend time together. At the time I felt like a poor, uneducated young man. I couldn't understand why such a larger-than-life man would want to spend time with someone like me. As Vern was to many young men, he was my mentor before that term became popular. Vern invested much wisdom and time in my life for many years. His entrepreneurial spirit helped me understand that a poor boy from Kentucky could achieve anything if he set his mind to it. I will always acknowledge the influence that this godly man had on my life. My prayers are with Marcella, Melissa, Susan & the entire family. Vern had a lot of Cousins! Gone but not forgotten! R.I.P. Vern. We will be reunited soon. | | | Rhonda Rose | | How I loved this man and his family! They have always been so dear to me, like family. I was so excited when I found out through my genealogy research that I really was a cousin. I have such wonderful memories and will always cherish them. I love you Marcie, Missy, Susan and the rest of the family. My comfort is in knowing that he is not bound by that body anymore and is rejoicing for all he's worth. Praise God for the promise we have in Him. | | | Rick Smith | | Cousin Vern, as he was so affectionately referred, gave me my first job when I was 15 years old. I worked as a delivery guy for a couple years and eventually worked with him again at WCNW when he bought the station.
My first memory of him was listening to him on the radio, he did a show each morning "Live" from Plaza Home Furnishings and he always had a kind word and a cup of coffee as he would play some great Southern Gospel Music.
He was a kind and generous man who helped so many people get started in life, including me. When I graduated from High School he tried to talk me into opening a Used Furniture Store where he could help supply me with tons of used furniture from his customers, of course as a young "know it all", I thought I was above used furniture! Wow, I would probably be a wealthy man by now if I would have listened to him.
One last story, Cousin Vern always drove a great car and I remember one day he invited me to lunch while working at WCNW and as we walked out to the car he threw me the keys to his Mercedes Sports Coupe...again, this ole country boy from Kentucky thought I had hit the big time!
Thanks for the memories Friend, thanks for your kindness and concern, and thank you for the encouraging words when the Lord called me into the ministry. You will always in my memories. | | | Ron and Rubie Smith | | Many happy memories about Cousin Vern. My Grandpa Dr. George Cook delivered Vern's grandpa. His great grandpa and mine hauled out the logs from Baldwin Creek to build Green Hills Baptist Church in Amville, Ky. My grandpa donated the land. These two families built the Church.I have a newspaper clipping from this. Verns family loved the Lord as he did and served the Lord well. Marcella , we will be praying for you and your family. Many blessings to you. Ron and Rubie Cook Smith | | | Todd Stach | | When I heard of Vern's passing a flood of memories came over me. I've not been able to shake your family from my heart and mind. Vern gave me my first chance in radio, and although we didn't see eye to eye on everything he was very patient and caring to a then immature, twenty-something year old. When you were a part of Vern's life you became family to him. I have many, many found memories of Vern, and now being a little older and wiser, a better understanding that he was a great businessman while maintaining a heart for ministry. I'll always remember him running out of his office at the excitement of the next deal he was trying to make and the drives to KY to help launch the new stations. He was a great man with a tremendously HUGE heart and sense of humor. I respect and miss him. Although, we've not kept in touch I can't believe he's gone. May God give you and your family precious memories, peace and grace in these next few hours, days, weeks and holidays. | | | Wanda Mills | | Vernon meant so much to Bobby and I. We have so many good memories. His wonderful wife and children will carry on his legacy with pride. He has made his journey from ewrth | |
|
|
|
