Obituary for James M. “Jim” Baldree James M, (Jim) Baldree, Sr. of Cleveland passed away on June 2, 2018 at Brookdale Memory Center. The son of the late J.P and Naomi Bruce Baldree, he was born on November 10, 1934 and has been a lifelong resident of Cleveland. Jim was a graduate of Bradley Central High School and attended both Cleveland Community College and Lee College.
He also served in the US Army Reserves for six years with the rank of sergeant. Jim was employed as the Circulation Manager of the Cleveland Daily Banner for many years and retired from First Tennessee Bank in 2000. His great love of music began at an early age where he was often a soloist in various trios and quartets.
This led him to serve as music director at North Cleveland Church of God, Springs Church of God and Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He became the first music director at Westmore Church of God where he was also a charter member and served on their first church council. He was a faithful member of the Westmore Sanctuary Choir until his health prevented him from singing and in 2014, Jim and his wife Betty were recipients of the H.D. Williams Award for service to their church.
Jim also loved to travel. He enjoyed visits to Florida and California quite often, and was able to explore New York, London, Paris and Israel. He was an avid reader of history and found great joy in volunteering at the Caring Place for ten years where he served others with an open heart and his trademark cheerful disposition.
Jim Baldree is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Betty Lackey Baldree, his son, in whom he was so proud, James M. Baldree, Jr. and wife, Isabel of West Hills, CA, his granddaughter, Rebecca C. Baldree of Santa Barbara, CA, his brothers, Donald B. Baldree of Cleveland, and H. Terrell Baldree of Woodstock, GA, his sister, Marion B. Lawson and husband, Bobby Lawson, of Huntsville, AL and his beloved “baby” sister, Paula B. Crye and husband, Frank Crye of Cleveland. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Jan (Randy) Anderson, Susan (Steve) Sharp, Jill (Chad) McGuire, Julie (Brian) Baker, Marc Crye, Todd (Mandy) Baldree, Dr. Mitch (Marie) Baldree and numerous great nieces and nephews as well as one special cousin, Marian B. Akridge. A Remembrance of Life Service will be held at 2 o’clock Tuesday at Westmore Church of God.
The viewing will held between 12 noon to the hour of service at 2 o’clock. Rev. Kelvin Page and Rev.
Wendell Smith will be officiating and the eulogy will be read by Jim’s long-time friend Joel Trammell. The committal service will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as casket bearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 478 Craighead St. Suite 200 Nashville, TN 37204 or The Caring Place 130 Wildwood Ave.
Cleveland, TN 37311. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James M. “Jim” Baldree please visit our Sympathy Store.
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