Obituary of Rainow "Rainey" Byrd Baldwin

Rainow Byrd Baldwin Jr, fondly known as “Rainey” left this earthly home on December 31st, 2023. He is the oldest son of the late Rainow Byrd Baldwin and Hazel Baldwin. He was the brother of Keith Byrd- Baldwin. He was born in Denver, Colorado on February 16th, 1963. Rainey attended elementary school in Colorado and graduated from Mount Carmel high school in Poway CA. During his early years he became a Boy Scout earning the title of Eagle Scout because of his excellent skills in scouting. He was nominated to become one of the first group of teens to join President Eisenhower 's Outward Bound group “Learning from Nature”. The Boy Scout group was thrown out into nature alone for two weeks leaving them with only water and dried spaghetti to test their survival skills. Rainey was the only one in this group who knew how to pick nonpoisonous herbs and how to cook the spaghetti. For this he received the highest certificate for that service for survival skills. Upon graduating from high school, he decided college was not for him. He obtained a job at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego CA to pursue a career in the culinary field. There he met a Black Hat Chef, which is an expert in the culinary field. Working alongside this Chef is where he learned the art of French cooking among other skills as he increased his talents as a Sous Chef. From there he worked at other prestigious institutions including the Sheridan Inn, Hotel Del Coronado and The Torry Pines Golf Resort all located in San Diego CA. While living in San Diego he also pursued his love of the outdoors which included his passion for deep sea fishing and golf.

Rainey moved to Phoenix in the early 90s and continued his pursuit of culinary endeavors. His employment included Famous Daves, Mulligan's Grill, Applebee's, Sega Gameworks and casinos including Wild Horse Pass and Long Butte. Rainey's career also touched in the arena of politics as he catered the repass for the late Senator John McCain.

Rainey Byrd-Baldwin leaves behind his mother Hazel Baldwin, brother Keith Baldwin, Aunt Maxine Adams, Patricia Allen , Linda Hennix, Alviner Thomson, cousins Carlton and Darren Adams, Rodney Emery, Elwin Emery Jr, Rhonda Golston, Brandon, Alexander and Alan Golston, Collette Emery and his longtime girlfriend Stephanie Gustafson.

Rainey gave his life to Christ at an early age while attending Eastside Baptist Church in Denver Co. He later joined Tanner AME church but moved his membership to Holy Trinity AME church in Mesa. His love for golf surpassed none. He would golf every day and when not golfing he would hit range balls and participated in several golf tournaments throughout the Phoenix area.

We will miss his carefree, whatever comes, laid back attitude. He led a full life he is with the angels now.