James Alex Baldwin

James Alex “Jim“ Baldwin 70, took his final breath on May 7, 2025 after a long difficult illness.

Jim greeted the world in Twin Falls, Idaho on a snowy winter day, December 28,1954 and was placed into the arms of his loving parents, Clyde and Donette Baldwin of Bellevue, Idaho.

Jim was raised in the Wood River Valley during his formative years, both on Silver Creek’s Double R Ranch and later the Baseline Road farm.

Jim worked along side his Father and Uncles as farm kids do, learning many valuable lessons and skills along the way. His true passion was doing anything in the sky, tying any and everything to the helium balloons he brought home from the Twin Falls County Fair, folding paper airplanes, making his own kites, built from scratch, building rockets to launch and model airplanes. Luckily for Jimmy, his father was the manager at the Halfway Ranch, ( Later to be known as the Flying Hat Ranch) at the southern end of the runway. Suddenly, ranching, “digging post holes” as he referred to it, became exciting as he watched and fantasized about the airplanes landing and departing, memorizing every make and model, every tail number while directly working under the flight path as those daily flights took off and landed. Attending Wood River High School, he worked at the Fox Acres Egg Farm, Key Airlines as a mechanics helper, AKA glorified hangar rat, and continued to farm with his father. After graduating from Wood River High School in 1973, Jim found his wings and explored, leading him to Boise State University to study Engineering and Art that fall. While attending college, Jim worked at Key Airlines and Boise Air Service on Gowen Field to earn his college tuition, also with Ada County through the CETA program, as a drafting tech, platting out new subdivisions and the infrastructure of Boise’s growing southern area. Jim was a ski instructor at Bogus Basin, winter of 1974/75 which put him on the runs with a young Brandy Hooper, who he completely ignored.

One year short of graduating BSU, his mother requested he come “home” to help his ailing father on the two places, Baseline Farm and Flying Hat Ranch. Spring of 1975 he left his adventurous life in the city, where he had friends, cousins, opportunities and a bright fulfilling future! However, being Jim, who matured into a man while away, returned to help his parents. The main goal was to eventually procure the important and necessary water rights on both places. Jim was a pioneer of sorts during that coming ski season, working on Baldy’s Warm Springs side, the first winter Sun Valley Company began snowmaking efforts. New lifelong friends and history were made that winter. With his father’s partial recovery, Jim grasped the freedom to pursue his aviation career at the Hailey airport. Passing his private pilot certification on 8/29/1978. And he suddenly owned the sky, the stars and clouds. And then Brandy, who had waited in the wings, enters the picture once for all, they were wed April 14,1979 in Boise, Idaho. Jim continued his aviation career, receiving multi engine, IFR, and his commercial pilots ratings and licenses. Becoming General Assistant Manager of Sun Valley Aviation, which he personally rebranded and restructured. Accomplishments he took great pride and self respect in! Flying many charter flights, corporate flights, scenic flights, flying celebrities, flying friends and family.

Being a self made man and a self doer Jim designed and with help of friends, in 1979 they built a small sweet hillside home in East Fork, as their family grew, Courtney born in 1985 and Merritt in 1987 required remodels and enlargements, which were mainly done by Jim, Brandy and friends.

Upon the passing of his father in July of 1987 and his mother in February of 1988 left the ranching duties fully to him, Jim took over the positions, both on the Flying Hat Ranch and the Baseline farm finally procuring the precious water rights for both places, completing massive irrigation projects and growing a Black Angus herd. Jim continued all aspects of aviation and successfully grew and advanced the customer service, charter department and encouraged employees as the GM of Sun Valley Aviation to do their best.

Jim continued to ranch and flew as commercial corporate pilot for Power Engineers in Hailey, from February 1990 through April 1994. Jim represented aviation and the airport in the newly formed Gem Community program, however he was ahead of his time. He eventually coaxed the community into understanding the value and importance of Friedman Memorial Airport, organizing the first Airport Appreciation Day, including static displays, fly overs and free airplane rides. It was an educational endeavor for the public and continued the following years.

One day, while chasing water, Jim stumbled on a new spot to build their dream home in Indian Creek. The perfect place, on the water, surrounded by open space and plenty of borrowed landscape for their Shangri-La, later to be named Camp Marigold.

They started that big project in 1990, designing and building a home in Indian Creek Ranches. Where they raised a family and lived for 32 years. Of course, here he goes again, seeing a ranch that needed his expertise and again saved the best water rights in the entire Wood River Valley and began to farm the Indian Creek fields. He built igloos in the front yard and a swimming beach on the creek with Courtney, open space and the big property kept our children and their friends outdoors, year around for hours. Camping, waterskiing, downhill skiing, snowmachining, horseback riding, bon fires, working cattle, farming land, science projects, dirt bikes, fishing, hunting, trips to Hawaii, Disney World, Mexico, Las Vegas and those favorite Oregon coast trips.

Merritt enjoys the love of the open road and “twisted the throttle” on a few treasured father son trips. Jim was also proud knowing his son was a third generation on the Flying Hat Ranch. Although both kids spent a lot of time with their dad working and playing, Merritt took to the tractors and the irrigation and the land, where as Courtney enjoyed horseback riding and the cattle. Jim also had his dog crew along in his ranch truck, Zanzi, Ryder, Lucy, Skipper and a few city dogs, all known as the “Marigolds”. Listening to great music checking cows, fences, crops and water.

When Jim retired in 2020, the fun began to take shape. Taking a cruise to Alaska and South America through the Panama canal were post retirement rewards. Selling the Indian Creek home in 2021 was a big decision, a growth for new beginnings in their marriage. Eventually searching out a new place, a place where Jim could truly spread his wings and ride his beloved vintage BMW and his new 1200. So off to Tucson the couple went! The desert is a fabulous place to ride, scenic, wide open spaces, very interesting flora and fauna with the bonus of year around exploration riding possibilities, plus a city packed with culture and entertainment. Living in a swanky condo and then the best place, a tiny 125 year old casita in the heart of Tucson surrounded by 24/7 action. Jim often referred to this time as the best years of their lives. Jim had truly found his element, becoming the happiest and most excited in years. Jim took many motorcycle trips alone and rode with special friends, once to see the Space X launch. The couple got in a couple trips to new areas in Mexico.

Returning from Arizona to Idaho in 2023 Jim and Brandy landed in Twin Falls, Idaho, agreeing to be a temporary lay over, planning to structure their lives between Idaho and Arizona and beyond….Both looking forward to music filled road trips, no maps, but a hell of a playlist.

However, Life had a different plan, God had a different plan, suddenly life took a turn on the proverbial dime.

Although Jim fought this unexpected illness, with Brandy rarely leaving his side, he worked hard to improve and hoped to return to the open roads and skies, that wasn’t to be. Instead their compass was redirected to a road detour under cloudy skies and bumpy roads. Together Jim and Brandy met the challenge to navigate the journey of uncharted territory. A new playlist so to speak.

“Thank you” and “Please" constantly rolled off Jim’s tongue, "I love you” over and over was how he spoke, despite the debilitating and relentless pain he suffered night and day for over 6 months, Jim’s gentlemanly demeanor showed through, loving and kind, rarely complaining. Prayers and faith often held Jim’s hand and filled his mind, not only in his darkest hours, but in his grateful hours as well. Praying not just for himself, but for every one, especially for his wife and children.

Brandy says: “Jimmypants you were brave, you were selfless, you were valiant, you were noble, you graciously made self sacrifices over the years, you were my one and only true love, you babe were a true man, I will honor you I will always and forever be your Babycakes.”

Rest in peace, let those wings stretch and soar, our memories are blessings.

Jim is survived by his wife Brandy of 46 years, daughter Courtney Sage, Boise, son Merritt James, Hailey. And many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother 1987 and 1988 respectively.

Services will be held Saturday May 31st, 213 Hiawatha Drive, Hailey, Idaho. Garden opens at 11am and light fare will be served after the ceremony. A private family graveside is planned later this summer at the Picabo Cemetery, Picabo, Idaho.