Jack Lyell Baldwin

Jack Lyell Baldwin, 77, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026, surrounded by his three daughters, who adored him and cared for him with exquisite devotion and dedication during his final days. He was born in 1949 in Haskell, Texas, and later lived in Fort Worth and Bryan before making Baton Rouge, Louisiana, his home and the center of his professional life.

Jack married his first wife, Alice Anne Baldwin, in 1971 at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. She is the mother of their three daughters, Belinda, Priscilla, and Kimberly, who remained at the center of Jack’s life. He was later preceded in death by his second wife, Janice Nowlin Baldwin.

Jack earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University in 1972, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. After graduating, he served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and was stationed with a MASH unit in Uijeongbu, South Korea, from 1973 to 1974. His time in Korea was an important chapter in his life, and he worked closely with the local community during his service.

Jack went on to earn his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and devoted his career to entomology and agriculture. He served as an extension entomologist with the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and LSU AgCenter, where he helped farmers protect their crops from invasive pests. During his years with LSU AgCenter, he also hosted a radio program, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the community.

In 2001, Dr. Baldwin received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in recognition of his service and contributions to agriculture and his community.

In addition to his work with LSU AgCenter, Jack owned and operated Dr. Jack’s Pest Control. He could often be seen out early on Saturday mornings servicing family homes and small businesses throughout the Shenandoah neighborhood. He took pride in helping people and was always willing to lend his knowledge and hard work wherever it was needed.

Faith and family were the foundations of Jack’s life. He was a devoted member of Parkview Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, and served on the school board. Jack was a man of quiet strength. He did not seek attention or praise and rarely spoke about his accomplishments. He simply believed in doing what was right. He was known for his honesty, sincerity, strong moral compass, and unwavering integrity.

Jack also had a wonderful sense of humor. He possessed a quick wit and a dry sense of humor that could catch you off guard and make you laugh when you least expected it. He loved music, especially country music, and enjoyed listening to it and two-stepping to his favorite songs. He loved watching sports, especially college football, gardening and working in the yard, reading, movies, genealogy, collecting rare coins, good food, a cold beer, and a hot cup of coffee. He was also a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

In retirement, Jack especially cherished his time with his grandchildren. He loved picking up his granddaughters from school, bringing them snacks, taking them to soccer practice, and attending their games. He never missed a birthday or holiday—including Halloween—without sending each grandchild a thoughtful card and a small gift.

He also quietly and consistently saved for each of his grandchildren’s college education, investing in their futures in the same steady and selfless way he had cared for his family throughout his life. His grandchildren knew his love not only through the things he did for them, but through the quiet consistency with which he showed up for them, year after year.

Jack was preceded in death by his second wife, Janice Nowlin Baldwin. He is survived by his daughters, Belinda Baldwin, Priscilla Rose, and Kimberly Kunstler; and his grandchildren, Isabella Hewitt, Lily Hewitt, Samuel Baldwin Goldberg, Olivia Kunstler, Luca Kunstler, and Liev Kunstler.

Jack lived a life defined by quiet strength, duty, faith, family, humor, and character. He loved and was loved deeply, served faithfully, and gave generously without seeking recognition. His legacy lives on in his daughters, his grandchildren, and all those whose lives he touched.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by the family who knew and loved him best.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Haskell, Texas with Rev. Dusty Garrison officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Burial will follow the service at Willow Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.