David Myrton Baines
June 26, 1933 - November 29, 2022
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David Myrton Baines
June 26, 1933 - November 29, 2022
Obituary
David’s “dash” years between 1933 and 2022 were well filled. At 6 years old when World War 2 was declared, his family were living close to London. He and his older sister joined hundreds of other children who were sent away from London to live in safer places. It was a lonely time for him; he missed his home and parents. Food was rationed, and some of the host families resented housing these children in their homes. Eventually his parents decided to take David back to London. He and other kids collected shrapnel, (bomb fragments,} after the raids, the hotter the shrapnel the higher the prize. Boys will be boys! He walked 2 miles to and from school often finding streets closed off by bomb damage. His family attended whichever church might be open for worshipers. He entered Latymer school in Hammersmith at 9 years old where he flourished in the drama classes after a farming machine accident on his uncle’s Essex farm had permanently damaged his right hand.
Latymer was founded in 1624 to educate eight ‘’poore boyes’ of the parish. It now has 1400 boys and girls enrolled, and a stellar reputation.
As a small child his mother read the Beatrix Potter stories to him which he eventually knew by heart.. This ability to memorize led him to perform in Shakespeare’s plays, usually preferring the role of the buffoon.
He wanted to work in the burgeoning TV industry but family pressure re directed his efforts into the aircraft industry, apprenticing and working for Vickers Armstrong where many of his long term friendships developed. A sailing group, the Brotherhood of Revelry formed which convened in Norfolk every September to catch the wind on open stretches of water, known as the Broads, originally old peat workings that had flooded.
Filling the part of a bewigged flunky in an operetta, he met his future wife Madeleine. A slow down of airplane sales had many Vickers’ employees looking for work elsewhere. Boeing was in the ascendancy, many of his friends had already hired on with Boeing. He arrived in Seattle in 1968, found it was good; he went back home a year later and married Madeleine on the eve of the USA landing on the moon. Exciting and risky times ensued. He was laid off in the 1970 crisis at Boeing, diversifying, helping with the Seattle Opera company, finally finding a caretakership job at a new recreational resort being developed by Weyerhauser in Thurston County. Pioneer family descendants made for interesting neighbors. Three years later, with a one year old son Michael, he made the move to small town life in Puyallup, eventually re hiring at Boeing on the design team of their 757. He joined the Puyallup Kiwanis, with them he was a marshal in the annual Daffodil Parade among many other activities.
A company transfer to customer service allowed him travel to Hong Kong, Ecuador, Yemen, Israel. Europe etc. He had a passion for cinema organ music, and learned to play a home size version. In retirement another move, this time to Bellingham where he joined the Mt. Baker theater organ club, and added to his collection of early radio and sound machines. Church and faith were essential to his life He was presented with the Bishops Cross service award in 2020 by Anglican Bishop Kevin Allen.
David had a quirky sense of humor, loved to tell jokes and stories to all who would listen, His “english’ voice captured the listener’s ear. He became a citizen of the United States in 1980 and kept many good friends whom he cherished, never letting a birthday go by without a card..
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years Madeleine, son Michael in Bellingham, and brother Donald and wife Penny, nieces Margaret, Jacqui and Jennifer and two surviving cousins in England.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Brendan’s organ and music fund, Seattle Children’s Hospital, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, The Whatcom Humane Society, or a charity of your choice to help children.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Brendan’s Anglican Church in the Central Lutheran Church Building, 925 Forest Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 at 1:30 on Saturday, December 10th.
Celebration of Life
- Date & Time: December 10, 2022 (1:30 PM)
- Venue: St. Brendan's In The Central Lutheran Church Building
- Location: 925 Forest Street Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 734-7180
10 responses to David Myrton Baines
Elliott & Nora Fine says:
December 8, 2022
Dear Maddie,
Even out here in Georgia the news of David reached us, & caused me to mourn that a wonderful, funny, smart & caring soul, has shuffled off our mortal coil, & we’ll all be that much the poorer for it.
Both of you were such bright spots in all of our TEA Party activities, time spent together in the booth at the Lynden Fairs & at the Constitutional Knowledge Bowls that Lorraine mentioned! You two were almost always together, & no matter what, every time we saw each other, big smiles, laughter, politics……just good conversation & that great “can do” attitude were staples, I’m lucky to have the opportunity to know you both.
From Judaism comes this truly heartfelt saying:
Zichrono Liv’raha. May his memory be as a blessing.
זיכרונו לברכה (zikhronó liv’rakhá)
Thinking of you Maddie,
Elliott & Nora Fine
Eric Mayhew says:
December 8, 2022
We send our sincere condolences to Maddie, who, with David, became our dear friend late in David’s life. David was very kind, intelligent, knowledgeable, witty, with a prodigious memory of important, peculiar, obscure, interesting and amusing events in his life that occurred recently and as far back as his character building times in his childhood during WW2 in London and his school times at Latymer. We will miss our times with David but not forget them. Our thoughts are with you, Maddie. All our best wishes, Eric and Ludmila.
Ellen Baker says:
December 11, 2022
David was a gentle soul, and a very dear man with a quick mind and a fabulous sense of humor. What a smile!! What a quick wit!! I respected him for his deeply held principles and conviction. Once, during a time of crisis, he gave me a small, rough-hewn cedar crucifix that remains very dear to me. He made – and left – the world a better and more joyful place. Heartfelt condolences, Maddie.
Cavin W Philbin says:
December 23, 2022
Dearest Maddie and Michael,
Misty and I were deeply saddened by David’s passing. I remember with deep fondness regularly attending the St. Brendan’s Men’s fellowship you and David were so gracious to host for so many years. I will always remember entering your home and hearing David’s hearty welcome greeting, “Do come in, the tea water is on, make yourself at home.” It was through David that I came to understand the unique social challenges that Great Britain faced in the early years of WWII, made all the more fascinating as told through the eyes and mind of a seven-year-old boy. I will always remember David’s roles in St. Bendan’s Christmas party skits, his booming voice, and accurate characterizations of whomever he was impersonating. David always had interesting perspectives on politics and current events yet was always eager to consider the differing viewpoints of others. We will miss David deeply but also feel so blessed to have gotten to know him as a friend and a cherished brother in Christ.
Love,
Cavin & Misty Philbin
Yakima, WA
Stephen J Evans says:
May 3, 2023
Fond memories of visiting David and Maddie as a boy with my parents Peter and Eleanor Evans. I was later fortunate to work in the same office as David on the 757. Always a smile and a great sense of humor. Such positivity always improved ones day. Thank you.
Stephen J Evans
Spring Branch Texas.