funeral home logo

Admin Login

Kenneth Wayne Baldridge

Kenneth Wayne Baldridge

1926 - 2021

Kenneth

was born on August 9th, 1926
and passed away on July 2nd, 2021 at the age of 94
Photo of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge
Photo of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge
Photo of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge

WATCH LIVE FUNERAL STREAM HERE ( 11:00 AM MST) Kenneth W. Baldridge passed away on 2 July, 2021 at the ripe old age of 94. He now rejoins his wife of 71 years, Delma Rae Woodbury Baldridge, who passed away in 2019. Ken wore a lot of titles in his long life: Husband, father-to-great grandfather, teacher-to [1] professor, patriarch, bishop, cowboy, salesman, volunteer, WWII veteran, scouter, traveler, author, historian. As an educator over a 43-year period, he touched thousands of lives, but his impact on the individual, whether a family member, student, neighbor or community resident, cannot be adequately expressed. He was born August 9, 1926 in Modesto, California, the only child of Joseph Wayne Baldridge and Ethel Mae Turner Baldridge. He was 15 when the United States entered World War II, and decided to serve his country even before he was old enough. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School in the US Navy, but opted out when he thought the war might be over before he could see active duty. Ken started training as a signalman and was eventually assigned to the USS Rendova (CVE 114), a brand-new carrier escort ship. Following the war, Ken decided to pursue a degree in Forestry and was told that "If you can stand the Mormons, Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State) has a good program." He and a buddy hitchhiked to Logan and took a room in the Raymond and Wanda Woodbury home, where Ken met and quickly fell in love with their daughter Delma. She agreed to marry him, but only if he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first. Delma also persuaded him to change his major to History, so in the course of a year Ken "changed my major, my religion and my marital status." The newlyweds moved back to California, where Ken completed bachelor's and master's degrees at College of the Pacific and began his teaching career. During this time they started a family, bringing Connie, Steven, Karen and Janet into the world. In 1960 Ken & Delma moved the family to New Zealand, where Ken had accepted a position at the Church College of New Zealand, an LDS-owned high school. Two more sons, Tracy and Douglas, were added to the family. After six years there, Delma persuaded Ken to return to school for a PhD, so the family moved to Provo, UT while Ken pursued doctoral studies in history at BYU. Two years later he was hired at Church College of Hawaii (later BYU-Hawaii) and stayed for 25 years, retiring in 1993 as a full professor, department chairman, founder of the Mormon Pacific Historical Society and community volunteer. Ken & Delma immediately accepted a call as LDS missionaries to the Canada Toronto (East) Mission, after which they moved to Pleasant Grove, UT to be closer to most of their children now living on the mainland. Here, Ken continued his very active volunteer service, working with the AARP Driver Safety program and the Red Cross. About 2010 he was approached by the University of Utah Press and invited to update his doctoral dissertation, a history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Utah, for their publication. He and Delma traveled the state extensively while Ken finessed and expanded the original work, which was published in 2019 as "The Civilian Conservation Corps in Utah: Remembering Nine Years of Achievement, 1933-1942." His book would receive an award from the Utah Historical Society as a finalist for best Utah history book for 2020.Things slowed down a little for Ken & Delma after the book was published, although Ken continued to do some traveling. Delma began to develop some health issues, which led to her death from heart failure in October 2019. Ken decided that living in a big house by himself wasn't useful, so he sold the house to his daughter Janet and moved to a senior center in Lehi. Around that time the COVID-19 pandemic started up in earnest, putting further travel plans on hold. Ken moved in with Connie, then Janet for a time, but eventually moved back to the senior center. Not long after that he tested positive for COVID-19. He was hospitalized, but the hospital staff thought he might as well die at home with his family and released him to his daughters' care after only 4 days. But Ken showed remarkable resilience and recovered to almost his pre-COVID condition. Even though he remained alert and somewhat mobile, his advancing years and the weakness brought on by COVID began to take a toll, until one Sunday after church he suffered a stroke. It was sufficiently large to cause considerable damage to his brain, so in accordance with his wishes the family placed him into palliative care until he passed away. Ken is survived by his six children and their spouses, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Delma and a son-in-law, Lucky Fonoimoana. Funeral will be held at the LDS ward house at 1541 North 1300 West in Pleasant Grove, Utah at 11:00 am Saturday, 10 July, 2021 where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:00 -10:45 am prior to services. There will be a graveside service at the cemetery in Weston, ID, where he will be interred next to Delma. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

funeral home logo
KB

Kenneth Wayne Baldridge

Aug. 09, 1926 ~ Jul. 02, 2021

WATCH LIVE FUNERAL STREAM HERE ( 11:00 AM MST) Kenneth W. Baldridge passed away on 2 July, 2021 at the ripe old age of 94. He now rejoins his wife of 71 years, Delma Rae Woodbury Baldridge, who passed away in 2019. Ken wore a lot of titles in his long life: Husband, father-to-great grandfather, teacher-to [1] professor, patriarch, bishop, cowboy, salesman, volunteer, WWII veteran, scouter, traveler, author, historian. As an educator over a 43-year period, he touched thousands of lives, but his impact on the individual, whether a family member, student, neighbor or community resident, cannot be adequately expressed. He was born August 9, 1926 in Modesto, California, the only child of Joseph Wayne Baldridge and Ethel Mae Turner Baldridge. He was 15 when the United States entered World War II, and decided to serve his country even before he was old enough. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School in the US Navy, but opted out when he thought the war might be over before he could see active duty. Ken started training as a signalman and was eventually assigned to the USS Rendova (CVE 114), a brand-new carrier escort ship. Following the war, Ken decided to pursue a degree in Forestry and was told that "If you can stand the Mormons, Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State) has a good program." He and a buddy hitchhiked to Logan and took a room in the Raymond and Wanda Woodbury home, where Ken met and quickly fell in love with their daughter Delma. She agreed to marry him, but only if he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first. Delma also persuaded him to change his major to History, so in the course of a year Ken "changed my major, my religion and my marital status." The newlyweds moved back to California, where Ken completed bachelor's and master's degrees at College of the Pacific and began his teaching career. During this time they started a family, bringing Connie, Steven, Karen and Janet into the world. In 1960 Ken & Delma moved the family to New Zealand, where Ken had accepted a position at the Church College of New Zealand, an LDS-owned high school. Two more sons, Tracy and Douglas, were added to the family. After six years there, Delma persuaded Ken to return to school for a PhD, so the family moved to Provo, UT while Ken pursued doctoral studies in history at BYU. Two years later he was hired at Church College of Hawaii (later BYU-Hawaii) and stayed for 25 years, retiring in 1993 as a full professor, department chairman, founder of the Mormon Pacific Historical Society and community volunteer. Ken & Delma immediately accepted a call as LDS missionaries to the Canada Toronto (East) Mission, after which they moved to Pleasant Grove, UT to be closer to most of their children now living on the mainland. Here, Ken continued his very active volunteer service, working with the AARP Driver Safety program and the Red Cross. About 2010 he was approached by the University of Utah Press and invited to update his doctoral dissertation, a history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Utah, for their publication. He and Delma traveled the state extensively while Ken finessed and expanded the original work, which was published in 2019 as "The Civilian Conservation Corps in Utah: Remembering Nine Years of Achievement, 1933-1942." His book would receive an award from the Utah Historical Society as a finalist for best Utah history book for 2020.Things slowed down a little for Ken & Delma after the book was published, although Ken continued to do some traveling. Delma began to develop some health issues, which led to her death from heart failure in October 2019. Ken decided that living in a big house by himself wasn't useful, so he sold the house to his daughter Janet and moved to a senior center in Lehi. Around that time the COVID-19 pandemic started up in earnest, putting further travel plans on hold. Ken moved in with Connie, then Janet for a time, but eventually moved back to the senior center. Not long after that he tested positive for COVID-19. He was hospitalized, but the hospital staff thought he might as well die at home with his family and released him to his daughters' care after only 4 days. But Ken showed remarkable resilience and recovered to almost his pre-COVID condition. Even though he remained alert and somewhat mobile, his advancing years and the weakness brought on by COVID began to take a toll, until one Sunday after church he suffered a stroke. It was sufficiently large to cause considerable damage to his brain, so in accordance with his wishes the family placed him into palliative care until he passed away. Ken is survived by his six children and their spouses, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Delma and a son-in-law, Lucky Fonoimoana. Funeral will be held at the LDS ward house at 1541 North 1300 West in Pleasant Grove, Utah at 11:00 am Saturday, 10 July, 2021 where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:00 -10:45 am prior to services. There will be a graveside service at the cemetery in Weston, ID, where he will be interred next to Delma. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

Show your love and support to Kenneth's family by adding your name to Kenneth's Guest Book.

white-flowers

Sympathy flowers are a simple way to let Kenneth’s loved ones know that you are thinking about them.

pink-flowers
white-flowers

Plant a memorial tree in Kenneth’s memory with one of our re-forestation projects.

pink-flowers
pink-flowers

Show your support by adding your name to Kenneth's Guestbook

More

Me

Share a message or condolence with others...

How did you know Kenneth?

Me

What is something interesting about Kenneth that others might not know?

Me

In just a few words, how would you describe Kenneth?

Me
Me

Light a Candle

What is a funny story about Kenneth?

Me

What do you want someone reading this 100 years from now to know about Kenneth?

Me

How did Kenneth make the world a better place?

Me
Me

Leave aLiving, Lasting Tributewith a memorial tree.

What is Kenneth’s legacy?

Me

What is something you will always remember about Kenneth?

Me

What is something you admired about Kenneth?

Me

What is your favorite story of Kenneth?

Me

What is something that made Kenneth special?

Me

How did Kenneth help other people?

Me

What did Kenneth teach you?

Me

What did you love about Kenneth?

Me
Me

APhotocan be worth a thousandWords

What would you say to Kenneth today?

Me

What are some things Kenneth loved to do?

Me

What was Kenneth really good at?

Me

When did Kenneth make you laugh?

Me

What was Kenneth's favorite possession, place, or holiday?

Me

What is your earliest memory of Kenneth?

Me

What were some quotes from Kenneth you liked?

Me

What was Kenneth's funniest quirk?

Me

What did Kenneth value most in life?

Me

What words would you use to describe Kenneth’s character?

Me
Me

Flowerscan often say itBest

12 Memories preserved

Today's Funeral Service for Brother Ken Baldrige reminds me of this scripture in Matt. 25:21 and a Poem by: - Linda Ellis - - Melvin Hontanosas

I was Bishop Ken Baldridge - BYU 5th Ward (Ward Executive Secretary) during our time in the Ward. I love this poem below by: "Henry Van Dyke" "Ken, Continue on in Eternal Love, Peace and Joy with your sweetheart Delma" Ken (Bishop Baldridge) has been welcomed by no other than his Beautiful Queen Delma in Paradise. For that reason allow for me to say I'm not saddened but at peace with tranquility knowing that we all gonna see Ken again. On the eternal perspective, once again - their union (Ken & Delma) in mortal life resumes and continues on to ETERNITY. Isn't it great folks? After all that is our sacred eternal truth... Aloha - Melvin Hontanosas

*When Ken and Delma moved back to Utah following his retirement from BYU-HAWAII, our association continued on. I get a chance to pick him up from Honolulu Airport to Laie and from Laie back to the airport as soon as their vacation in Hawaii was over. It was full of fun reminiscing the good times we had at BYU 5th Ward. We talked about those numerous Saturdays we spent (the three of us Ken, me and the late Steksen Diapolos. We would be cleaning and cutting shrubbery in his farm behind the Hawaii Temple so his horses would have a nice stable - comfortable place. The most exciting part of the morning was when Ken asked me to ride one of the two horses there. He took me up and down those beautiful hills behind the Temple. The panoramic view from Kaawa to the end of Malaikahana with the beautiful Laie and Hauula Bays in the background were breathtaking. I said, "Bishop Balidrige this is way awesome than I thought it would be. Thank you for the opportunity to be able to see this beautiful scenery" For those of you that have been to Laie but never been to the hills looking out towards the horizon of vast ocean, i tell you folks it is soooooooo fantastic. The opposite scene/view is when you go up to the Laie point and look at the Ko'olao mountain range. There is no better way of describing the beauty of Laie and its background mountains and hills and not feel the spirit of the Lord. The Hawaii Laie Temple, The BYU-Hawaii Campus and the PCC are testaments of these BLESSINGS. I thank Ken for his love of Laie and neighboring places located here and for allowing us to enjoy what Ken and Delma enjoyed in Laie while they were here. Ken was so active and envolved in his civic duties, such as, members of the Civil Defense and neighborhood watch to name a few. * Lesson learned from a great Bishop... As his executive secretary in the BYU 5th Ward, part of my assignment at times was to prepare and type Bishopric meeting agenda. The meeting was at 6am Sunday. I decided not to show up at the meeting due to my working schedule had changed at the Hawaii Temple. They waited, and waited and waited to no avail. I was deep asleep at home. The next Sunday Bishop B asked me what happened to me? I gave him all the reasons & excuses i found in the book. He was rather kind and collected and then a teaching moment. Bishop B asked me again, Mel, would like to hear a true story happened me? I said, "go ahead Bishop B, I would listen" He related this: "Mel, I met this beautiful girl. We admired each other very well. She was my age and wished she would go out with me to an event. After several tries She finally accepted my invite and we set the place, time and date. When the date came, for some more important reason or reasons ( in my head) I did not make it to her home to pick her up. As a product of my teenager's in-descrition I decided that I would see her later and would explain to her the whole situation. I did. She calmly and respectively said to me, 'Ken, sometime there are others things that might come up and seemed more important than picking me up - and that is fine, however, I would have appreciated it very much if you could have called me just to let me know you were not coming or you were delayed in traffic. So I waited more and more time then finally change out into my night clothes. Ken, I did not hear from you till now'. Bishop B said to me again, "Mel I learned a hard lesson that night. Never ever make an agreement or commitment that you can not keep. If for some reason things or somethings come up beyond your control, then communicate. Make it known and make adjustments." From that simple incident and from what great Bishop Baldrige share with me about his date that never happened, i have been forever changed. Thank you dear friend - Ken. - Melvin Hontanosas

Country basket was purchased for the family of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge by Jordan Woodbury & family. Send FlowersPlease accept our sincere condolences for your loss! Our heats are warmed though to know that Ken is reunited with your mother and many others who have passed.Jordan Woodbury & family - Jordan Woodbury & family

My prayers are with you as you send your dad to rejoin his beloved companion. I have the greatest love and respect for them and your family who I first met when I moved to Laie in 1973 as a young bride. My love them grew over the years as we enjoyed hosting them for dinner at Liahona High School in Tonga and fellowship as members of the church and co workers at BYU-H. I was a big fan of your mother's amazing wedding cakes. They lived a wonderful life of service and love and I am most grateful for having counted them as dear friends. - Toni Lua

A Memorial tree was ordered in memory of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge by The Westwood and Fifield families . Plant a TreeDear Baldridge family,We enjoyed our time in Hawaii with your family. May you be comforted to know that your parents are together and that you also have the blessing of Eternal sealing.AlohaThe Westwood and Fifield families - The Westwood and Fifield families

*Another unforgetable experience with our dear friends Bishop Ken and Delma Baldrige: Years ago since they left Laie and settled in PG, Utah, they purchased a rather old home. They restored it well and made some improvements and it was beautiful. For those of you that visited that home you know what Im talking about. When we were or are in Utah he would make phone calls to all formers BYU 5th Ward members residing not far from his home and before you knew it we were Bar-B-Quewing already on his backyard. It was sort of like a mini reunion. And for those of you that made it there in his home, you knew what Im talking about. I personally thank Lisa for doing such a great job keeping tract of names, addreses and phone numbers of former BYU 5th Warders. Thank you very much Lisa Hirst Whitehead. *One particular week I was in SLC to do a Wedding Video for a dear friend's daughter, I called up Ken just to him know i was in town. He immediately asked me where I was staying. I said, in a hotel next to the SLC, Temple. Come on Mel, you go check out now and you need to stay with us. Only us here in our home in Pleasant Grove Mel. (Let me tell you why they (Ken & Delma) insisted I stayed with them at their beautiful antique home in PG, Utah. When Ken and Delma come to Hawaii i mentioned in another posting that I picked them up from Honolulu airport to Laie then from Laie back to the airport) They were so grateful and thankful for the little service we did for them while in Hawaii. They would invite me or us to stay with them. Ken would always say, Mel & Heidi each time you folks are in SLC you are welcome to stay with us. For me, I regarded it as a very kind gesture of how much he loves all of us his former 5th Warders. Probably there are many of you feel the same way about their love and care for all of us. Now you know what im talking about. On to my story: After dinner, Ken and Delma asked what's my planed schedule for the next day. I said, I am going to Vernal, Utah in Altonah to be spicific. I'm going to visit a couple there who supported me financially when I served my full time mission to the Philippines. I invited Ken and Delma to come along to which they both declined. Delma had a prior commitment already and Ken had to do "meals on wheels" and on top of that he had to teach seniors how to drive and operate vehicles safely. We bid good night just that. In my mind, I said, I had to wake up early in the morning in order to make the 3 hour drive to Vernal, Utah. I slept well and woke up early ready to start my Day. To my surprise, I saw Ken in the living room ready to travel and drive with me to Vernal. On our way there I asked him what changes his schedules. He said, just before he went to sleep he thought about it and made some phone calls to his other friends and got a subtitute to do his work for him that day. He really wanted to accompany me because I was not familiar driving to Vernal. My day and my visit to the family ware so AWESOME!!! Ken got to know another great people like himself. The thing that impresses me the most was not only that he made the effort to accompany me that long trip to Vernal and back that day but more importantly were the delicate topics and some very important issues about life, work, relationships in marriages and even his own. I admired him and Delma so much. Anyone who have been happily married for over 70 years is something so special to know and learn from. Ken has been an awesome Priesthood bearer and an awesome son of our Heavenly. He was what he has ever been and he is what he will ever be towards eternity because of his dearest helpmate - Delma. A great man can only be as great as his great helpmate. Thank you Ken for all your good examples Rest in Eternal Love & Peace Our Friend Till We Meet Again. Aloha! - Melvin Hontanosas

I have known Brother Baldridge for 37 years. During that time he was my Bishop, university professor for one of the most fascinating classes ever (History of the church in the Pacific), reunion planning buddy, friend, advisor, and trusted confidante. He and Sister Baldridge welcomed my family into their home and hearts. It was a privilege to be associated with them. I will miss him but feel it it a blessing that he was in my life for so many years. - Lisa Deason Whitehead

Jade joy was purchased for the family of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge by Heidi & Mel Hontanosas Kahuku, Hawaii 96731. Send Flowers"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some Stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same". -Flavia Weedn-Ken left lots of PRINTS on many hearts...TY.Heidi & Mel Hontanosas Kahuku, Hawaii 96731 - Heidi & Mel Hontanosas Kahuku, Hawaii 96731

Tender thoughts was purchased for the family of Kenneth Wayne Baldridge by Stan & Sherry Pollock family, Bruce & Pat Woodbury family, Brett & Genelle Woodbury family . Send FlowersWith deepest love, respect, and sympathy!Stan & Sherry Pollock family, Bruce & Pat Woodbury family, Brett & Genelle Woodbury family - Stan & Sherry Pollock family, Bruce & Pat Woodbury family, Brett & Genelle Woodbury family

Show your love and support to Kenneth's family by adding your name to Kenneth's Guestbook.

No events scheduled for Kenneth's Services

Kenneth's care under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary

In Remembrance Of


Kenneth Wayne Baldridge

Scroll Down