Gene Baldock

Baldock, 84, Dreamed of Living in Jackson Hole Gene Clifton "Tuck" Baldock was born July 16, 1928 to Lillian and Roy Baldock in Henrico County, Virginia. He attended school in Glen Allen, growing up in a neighborhood that was part of his great, great grandfather's plantation. He married Florence Louise Thomas on June 9, 1950, worked as an electrician for the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, and built a home next door to his childhood home where their family grew to include four sons. In 1962 Tuck built a wooden travel trailer and the Baldocks embarked on a 27-day adventure through Canada and 21 states to the West coast. The entire trip cost $450. This fanned Tuck's sense of adventure, and when future travels brought him to Jackson Hole, he knew this was where he wanted to stay. In 1967 Tuck wrote a letter to Lawrence Rockefeller asking if he needed a good electrician in Jackson Hole. Mr. Rockefeller wrote him back offering him a job with the Grand Teton Lodge Company. Tuck and Shortie packed up their sons and belongings and moved to Colter Bay that summer. Not long after, Tuck was hired as an electrician with Grand Teton National Park. For the next 10 years they lived at Moose where the boys explored tirelessly. In 1977 the Baldocks built a home in Jackson. Tuck became the Building and Utilities Foreman for the park. In the midst of his career he took an interim job for six years as Chief of Maintenance at Capital Reef National Park then returned to Grand Teton where he retired in 1990. Tuck and Shortie maintained the "southern hospitality" always inviting family, friends and new acquaintances into their home. They were active in First Baptist Church. Camping continued to be a favorite activity for years as was square dancing and playing "Jackson Hole Rummy". Tuck Baldock always had a smile and a hug to go with it. His native Virginian accent stayed with him and people couldn't help but tease him. His heart was kind and honest, and he was a man you could trust. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a delightful grandad, and a true friend. Tuck had a welcoming warmth and was a joy to be around. He will surely be missed. Tuck was preceded in death by his wife, Shortie, parents, Lillian and Roy, and three sons, John, Mark, and Brett. He is survived by his son, Steve, daughters-in-law, Susie and Leigh, grandchildren, Megan, Beau, Garret, Lisa and Olivia, and great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Fayden and Ryder. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.valleymortuaryjackson.com.

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