Lawrence Baldwin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Lawrence James, was born on November 9th, 1939 in Arkansas City, Kansas to Everett and Lola Baldwin. Passed away on February 5th, 2022 at the age of 82 years, 2 months and 24 days. He attended Arkansas City schools all the way through Jr. College. In 1959 he married Patricia Gale Belew of Burden, Kansas and relocated to Alva, Oklahoma. Lawrence had a 55 year career as an Alva businessman serving the community he loved. In 1959 Lawrence opened Baldwin Oil Company, a full service gas station on Oklahoma Blvd., initially under the Vickers brand, but then switching to the Apco brand. His strong work ethic made him a successful business operator, working for 18 years, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, as well has 6 hours on Sunday. In 1977 he sold the station to begin a new career as a Commodities Broker. As the owner of Alva Futures commodity brokerage, he loved to talk commodities with his clients, offer advice on trading, and generally hold court with his friends who would gather at his office door. Lawrence also ran the Baldwin Oil Company wholesale fuel distribution business up until he was 80 years old. Lawrence is survived by his Sister Everall Francisco (Newton, KS), Sons Michael (Wichita, KS), David (Plano, TX) and Robert (Mckinney, TX), and his 6 grand children Dustin Baldwin (Shawnee, KS), Kelsi Baldwin (Shawnee KS?), Shawn Baldwin (Denton, TX), Jesse Baldwin (Kansas City, KS), Jackson Baldwin (Plano, TX) and Chloe Baldwin (Phoenix, AZ), as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Lawrence loved Alva, and Alva loved him. He was devoted to his friends in the community, and was never happier then when he was helping someone with a chore, doing a stranger a favor, or just making the rounds through town in his pickup truck visiting with his people. Lawrence was also a contributor to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University general scholarship funds. He will be extremely missed by all. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to NWOSU scholarship fund through Wharton funeral Chapel

Lawrence Baldwin

November 9, 1939 - February 5, 2022