Tom ‘Coach’ Baldwin: Jan. 31, 1932 - March 21, 2017

A Life Well Lived

Lyndon Thomas “Coach Baldwin Jr. beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Friend, Educator, Coach and Mentor.

Tom was born in Sierra Madre, Calif., on Jan. 31, 1932. he was the oldest of five children and grew up in Long Beach, graduating from Jordan High in 1949. He enlisted in the Army and spent three years serving in Korea, receiving the Purple Heart. He also served on Division Faculty at Camp Roberts, and as an Intelligent SGT in the 200 and 24th Infantry Regiment 40th Division.

Home from the service in 1954 he started his college career at Santa Ana Community College playing rugby and football for the Dons. He met Carol and they were married in Dec. 1954. In 1956, he chose Long Beach State to get his Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential and was hired as a graduate assistant for the freshman team. Also, he was thrilled when his first child Tina was born.

In 1957, he started his teaching career at Santa Ana High, where he was hired as assistant football coach and taught government, history and geography. Again he was thrilled when his second child Danny was born. Valley High opened in 1959 and Tom was hired a teacher and assistant football coach. He stayed for six years. He earned his Masters degree in education from Chapman College and graduated with honors in 1963.

Back to Santa Ana High in 1965-1074 as head football coach where he led the teams to the CIF playoffs in 196601968. During this time he coached the State North-South All-Star game and the County All-Star Game for the second time. He was voted Orange County Coach of the Year in 1967. He also served as Chairman of the Harbor Beach and Parks Commission and was on the Orange County Juvenile Delinquency’s Prevention Commission.

The new professional World Football League was formed in 1974-1976 and the California Sun team was based at Angel Stadium. For two years Tom was Director of Player Personnel, special teams coordinator and assistant coach. He then opened his own insurance business. Nothing about owning his own business was satisfying… he missed his “kids” and teaching/coaching.

So, he went back to Valley High where he was head football coach and teacher from 1981-1983. He again went back to Valley as assistant football coach in 2001-2003 but was teaching at Costa Mesa.

In 1984, the head football coaching position became available at Costa Mesa High School and he was head coach there for nine years and assistant football coach for two years. For 26 years he taught economics, history, government, AP classes, boys’ and girls’ golf and was Mentor Teacher Bilingual Specialist. He loved teaching his grandson and having his granddaughter as a cheerleader. Tom retired from teaching in 2010 at the age of 78 but continued teaching boys’ and girls’ golf until he was 80.

Over these 50 years Tom has been instrumental in the careers of many of his students. He often received calls, letters and visits from former students thanking him for his guidance, support, encouragement and mentoring. They told him their lives had been changed forever by his teaching and love. Three of his former players were with him on the day he went to heaven.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, two children, eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, three adopted grandchildren and seven of their spouses. Tom was an important part of many people’s lives and he will be forever missed but never forgotten.