Harry Fowler Baldwin

Former Lieutenant Colonel Harry Fowler Baldwin, a resident of Dothan, died January 1, 2021. He was 89.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mr. Baldwin was born December 14, 1931 in Buffalo, NY. Employed from 1959 to 1962 as a commercial helicopter pilot with Petroleum Helicopters, he flew offshore charter in the Gulf of Mexico, mountain, jungle, and petroleum exploration in Honduras, Central America and Columbia, South America. He accepted a position as a rotary-wing flight instructor with the Department of the Army at Fort Rucker and moved to the Wiregrass in 1962.

Recalled from the Army reserve in 1966, he served as an attack helicopter platoon leader and battalion intelligence officer in Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with V for valor, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and numerous awards of the Air Medal for meritorious operations against the enemy.

After retirement, Mr. Baldwin was employed with the Houston County Sheriff’s Department and later as a bailiff for the 20th Judicial Circuit. He was a Gold Star father, a member of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, and was a life member of the VFW where he served as both post and district adjutants.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Joy; his parents, Eva and Harry Baldwin; and a son, Warrant Officer Larry Baldwin, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970.

Survivors include three daughters, Kim Richardson, Terry Richard, and Leslie Baxter; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and two special people who knew what they meant to Mr. Baldwin and the family, Karen Becker and Bucky Fiddler.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604