Frank Neal Baldwin Jr.

Frank Neal Baldwin Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas September 19, 1922 and passed away in Houston after a brief illness. His parents were Frank Baldwin and Edith Doolittle Baldwin. After his mother passed away in 1929 his father remarried Murrell Halford and the family moved to Houston. Frank graduated from Lamar High School and then enrolled in Texas A&M. University. In 1942 Frank and his entire class were activated into the Army Reserve. Frank then attended Officer Candidate School in North Carolina. In 1943 he was assigned to the 1150th Engineer Combat Group and left for Europe in 1944. After victory was declared in Europe in 1945 Frank remained in Germany with his group and was released from duty in 1946 with the rank of Captain. After returning home to Houston Frank completed his studies at Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In 1950 Frank became a Registered Professional Engineer. On May 28, 1949, Frank married Mary Alice Harris and worked in Houston until he was recalled to active duty in 1951. He spent the winter of 1951 in Korea serving as Company Commander in the 116th Engineering Combat Battalion. After returning from Korea Frank continued his education attending the South Texas College of Law and received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in May of 1954. He was Valedictorian of his law class. Frank was a Life Member of Texas Society of Professional Engineers, a Life Member of the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society, a Member of the State Bar of Texas, and a Life Member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. He was a Mason and Member of Holland Lodge No 1,A F & A M. Frank worked for the City of Houston for 3 years as Superintendent of the Land Acquisition Division. After leaving the City he had a long career with various gas transmission companies where he utilized both his engineering and law degrees. He was a member of the Natural Gas Men of Houston.

After retiring, Frank and Mary Alice bought and developed a pecan orchard in Wharton, Texas. They won many ribbons and awards for their pecans. They thoroughly enjoyed their time tending their pecan orchard and being members of the Texas Pecan Growers Association.

Frank was a charter member of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church and later a member of First Presbyterian Church. His faith was unwavering throughout his life and credited the 23rd psalm for seeing him through the many challenges of his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice after 51 years of marriage. Frank and Mary Alice were wonderful devoted parents and will forever be deeply missed by their "little girls" daughters Elizabeth Ann Baldwin Furman, Mary Frances Baldwin Wilson and Cathy Linda Baldwin, sons-in-law Robert Edmond Furman and Norman Ray Wilson and grandchildren Michael Ryan Furman and Christina Ashley Furman. Funeral service will be held Thursday, October 13, 2011, 2pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. Private interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.