Leroy Baldwin

Leroy Baldwin, 84, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2016.  Born December 15, 1932 in Ocala, FL to John A. and Susie D. Baldwin.  He was a lifetime member of Wyomina Park Baptist Church.

Baldwin was born in Ocala to a non-agricultural family, but soon became fascinated with cattle.

He bought his first calf with the earnings from the newspaper route he started when he was 6 years old. Eventually, he would own more than 600 acres of land near Kendrick and run more than 200 head of cattle.

"He was born near Maricamp Road, where First Baptist Church of Ocala is now," Sharon Baldwin said. "He always told his daddy, 'I want to raise good cattle.'"

Leroy Baldwin worked his paper route for years and eventually used a pony named Trigger to deliver the paper.

"He got the pony when he was probably about 9 or 10. He said that little pony knew the route just as well as he did. When that horse got to the last house, he turned around and headed home," Sharon Baldwin said.

Baldwin invested his paper route earnings toward buying new calves, which he would raise and then sell. He bought his first registered Angus calf in 1947.

After serving as a radio operator in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1955, Baldwin established the Baldwin Angus Ranch on 40 acres near Kendrick when he got out of the Army. As the years went on, he kept expanding his holdings.

"We've been blessed well enough that we've added to it every time a piece (of land) came up for sale," Baldwin said in 2013 in a video produced by the American Angus Association.

The ranch now spans 620 acres and is the family compound. Baldwin's three adult children live on the property or on adjacent land.

"His family was very important to him. It was God first, then family and then country," Sharon Baldwin said. "It was a blessing. It's a gift from God to have your family grow up around you."

Baldwin became the largest producer of black Angus cattle in Marion County, and one of the most successful. His children are all part of the family business, which breeds stock for other ranchers.

"We breed the cattle that produce the cows that go to the meat industry," Sharon Baldwin said.

While he gave God the credit for his success, there was little Leroy left to chance. He used and developed solid husbandry techniques.

"He was very particular about the genetics of his cattle. We bred for the good, high-quality genetics," Sharon Baldwin said. "That was his passion, to always make cattle better. He loved his cattle."

Baldwin's cattle have helped expand the Angus breed across the world.

"We have shipped cattle to between 25 and 30 different countries, as well as all across the U.S.," Sharon said. "He always spoke of Psalms 50:10 and thanked God for allowing him to be a caretaker of his 'cattle on a thousand hills.' He always thanked God for letting him be in agriculture and in Marion County."

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sharon E. Baldwin; sons, Tony Baldwin (Cindy), Alan Baldwin (Layla); daughter, Joy Papy (Wyatt); step-daughter, Stephanie; sister, Leverne "Jeri" Baldwin; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his son, David Michael Baldwin; his sister, Neta Baldwin Guinn; and brothers Vane Baldwin and Curtis Arthur Baldwin.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wyomina Park Baptist Church.  Funeral service will be held Friday, December 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Wyomina Park Baptist Church, Ocala, FL with Reverend Bob King and Reverend Samuel Clements officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Leroy to the Southeastern Youth Fair Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 404, Ocala, FL 34478.  Arrangements under the care of Countryside Funeral Home, Anthony, FL.