Gene Baldwin

On the morning of December 22nd, long-time area resident and rancher, Gene Baldwin, was called home to be with the Lord and loved ones. Gene was 99 years old and a resident of Mondell Heights in Newcastle, WY. Gene passed peacefully surrounded by family.

Gene was born on August 25, 1926, in the small farming community of Inez, NE, to Robert (RW) and Daisy (Raitt) Baldwin. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the MW Ranch south of Newcastle where Gene worked along side his parents and two brothers, Robert (Red) and Donald. Gene attended country school in Clifton and then Newcastle Junior High and Newcastle High School graduating in 1944.

After high school, Gene attended the University of Wyoming majoring in Political Science and then went on to law school. However, Gene decided that being a lawyer was not his calling, so he continued his education by attending the University of Denver and obtained a degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in secondary education. Gene found his love in the radio industry and went on to work at several radio stations, including KOTA in Rapid City, SD and KFKA in Greeley, CO. Gene then began a new adventure and moved to Denver where he took up teaching English literature at the high school in Adams City. While living in Denver, Gene met the love of his life in a beautiful young nurse, Jane Bender, from Waterloo, IA, who happened to move into the room across the hall from his apartment. The two became close and the loving couple was married on August 5, 1961, and to this union was born two sons; Robert and Michael. The couple relocated to Newcastle in the early 1960’s where Gene taught English and Journalism at Newcastle High School and ran cattle on the MW Ranch in partnership with his brother, Donald, and then with his niece, Donna Baldwin Hunt.

While teaching in Newcastle, Gene continued to be active in broadcasting and announced high school football and basketball games for KASL radio. After retiring from broadcasting, Gene took over the public announcer role for the high school football team, a task he dearly loved. Gene’s talent and dedication to announcing home football games earned him the nickname “Voice of the Dogies” and when he retired from announcing games, he was presented with a lifetime membership from the Wyoming High School Athletics Association.

Gene had a love for life which showed in the many activities he enjoyed. One of his favorite activities was golf which he enjoyed playing whenever the opportunity arose. He enjoyed golfing with the members of the Newcastle Country Club, during summer vacations in Iowa, in Phoenix, AZ, with son, Robert, and his family. Back at home he enjoyed golfing with his good friend, Don Jording, and holiday golf tournaments with close family members, including his nieces and their husbands. He also enjoyed trains and spent many moments with wife Jane watching the trains roll by the local depot in Newcastle.

Gene’s other talents included acting, where he participated in many plays during his high school and college days. Gene also had a talent for writing humorous poetry some of which he recited at local events. Gene also enjoyed music and, upon sufficient coaxing, would play a few bars of “Ragtime Cowboy Joe”. Gene enjoyed Wyoming Cowboy football games and would go to games or watch them on the TV. He was an avid fan and would comment “wait ‘til next year” if the season did not quite live up to expectations.

Gene had a great love for people, his family, and especially small children, and readily made friends with those he met. From hugs, handshakes and high fives, Gene quickly became friends with everyone and those who knew him loved him. Gene is often remembered by the twinkle in his blue eyes and his infectious laugh. Gene was a Shriner and supported the Shiner’s Children Hospital network and enjoyed handing out treats to children during Halloween. Gene’s main love, however, was his wife Jane. The couple was married for 59 years before the passing of his beloved wife in 2020. Gene often commented that God has sent him an angel in Jane and fondly called her “bug”. Even when Jane was confined in the nursing home with failing health during the Covid lockdown period, Gene would faithfully visit her each day, rain or shine, and stand outside of the window and talk to Jane.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents (RW and Daisy), both brothers (Robert and Donald) and his wife, Jane. Gene is survived by his sons Robert (Teddie) of Phoenix, AZ, and Michael (Rose) of Newcastle, WY, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Gene was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church, local Masonic lodge and Newcastle Country Club. Funeral services for Gene will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church. Gene will be interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle beside his beloved wife, Jane.

Memorials in Gene’s memory may be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle, Totes of Hope (providing meals for local school aged children) and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.