Jason Charles Baldwin

Jason Baldwin was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Stanley Richard (Dick) Baldwin and Muriel Violet (Em) on February 14, 1979. He was known to some as Bean, to many as Smallz, and is greatly missed since he unexpectedly went to Summerland on April 2, 2024, from Kansas City, Missouri, where he lived for the past five years.
 
Prior to that, he resided in Clinton, Missouri; a sailboat on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway near Tupelo, Mississippi; Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Dodge City, Kansas; Englewood, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; Collbran, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; and Grand Junction—a testament to his restless energy and need to wander.

He is survived by his three sisters on his father’s side, Pam Champlin, Lena Cole, and Holly Lucas, and their families, including nieces and nephews, Chastity Thornbrough, Dustin Champlin, Heather Kauffman, Billy Cole, Bobby Cole, Aaron Clare, and Rebecca Boone; and on his mother's side by his sister and two brothers, Sandra Brake, Kevin Edmands, and William Edmands, and their families, including nieces and nephews, Shawn Brake, Stephanie Ashinhurst, Tyler Larsen, Zackary Edmands, Cody Larsen, Taurin Edmands, and Amber Edmands—and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

 Other special people in his life include stepchildren, his Tree Bug and her brother Tylor; and Mother Mine (Annie Keim), Angel, Corky, Heather, Susan, and Tracy.
 
 Jason was endearing, charmed, and charming, and he longed to return to the high desert landscape of the Western Slope, where he grew up and grew to love Nature and her gifts. He thrived in the sunshine and liked to turn a wrench and race cars, go rock crawling with RC vehicles, camp, explore, fish, forage, and dance (especially in the rain). Those who know him were blessed by his rampant enthusiasm and twinkling smile.
 
 He was a proud member of the Kansas City Irish Fest planning committee (recycling) and was looking forward to this summer’s adventures and to creating a costume for next year’s Mardi Gras season and the parade down 18th Street.
 
 Jason was always collecting rocks, plants, and critters—jumping spiders, insects, lizards, tarantulas, birds, snakes, opossums, and more. He loved cows in general and his dog, Kinsey, in particular, as well as her cat companion Wuff Woof.
 
 Anyone who knew him knows that music was very important to Jason, but also as often as possible, he sought out the peace and quiet that only the unpopulated wilderness can provide. He envied hawks and other birds who soar on thermals above us, the very picture of freedom from care.
 
 He sometimes quoted his favorite movie, “The Princess Bride,” which he had memorized, and a few lines stand out that help define the person we miss dearly: “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” But also, “Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.”
 
In honor of Jason’s life, the family invites you to plant a tree—or many—either here or on your own in a way that helps you remember him and helps us on Earth breathe easier: “As you wish.”