‘He was full of love’

Nearly 1,000 people gather to pay respects to Jason Baldwin, who died in a plane crash Nov. 19.A crowd of nearly a thousand people filled a Newport Beach church Tuesday to say goodbye to Jason Baldwin, the Newport Beach real estate developer who was killed along with three others when their plane crashed into the ocean off San Clemente on Nov. 19.

Baldwin, 35, of Laguna Beach was remembered by family members as a father, a husband, a son, a sibling and a competitive off-road racer.

“He touched thousands of lives because he was full of love,” said Baldwin’s mother, Nancy Baldwin, as she and husband Jim Baldwin welcomed mourning friends and family.

Baldwin, along with friends Jeff TenEyck, Rick Olavson and pilot Dan Neuman, were returning from the Baja 1000 off-road race in Mexico when the plane plunged into the ocean, killing the four men.

The cause of the crash has not been determined.

Baldwin’s wife, Eve, held hands with her two young children, Annabelle and Sabrina, as they followed their father’s casket into the crowded church Tuesday.

With her voice wavering only slightly, Annabelle was one of many family members who gave a eulogy.

“My dad, Jason ... I loved him very much,” Annabelle said.

She recalled a recent memory of her dad teaching her to surf in Mexico. Every time she got up on the board, he offered encouraging words to keep her going. Those words are ones she said she’ll never forget.

“I’m very glad he’s my dad,” Annabelle said.

Jason Baldwin’s sister, Kelley Renezeder, delivered a message from Jason to the congregation -- what she thought he would have wanted to say to everyone -- including comforting words for Baldwin’s wife and children.

“Remember that Daddy will always be with you,” Renezeder said to Baldwin’s daughters.

Family members said Jason Baldwin was an adventurous spirit; they recalled his competitive nature, present whether he was racing against his brother and brother-in-law or surfing giant waves in exotic locales with friends.

“Jason loved extreme sports -- the more extreme the better,” said brother-in-law Carl Renezeder.

Jason Baldwin’s brother, Josh Baldwin, raced with his brother for the last time in the Baja 1000, the day Jason Baldwin was killed.

“I will miss rubbing wheels and trading paint with the other orange truck,” said Josh Baldwin. The two were part of the family racing team that often competed together in off-road competitions.

The Baldwin family has established a fund to benefit the children of Neuman and Olavson. Contributions may be made to Neuman Olavson Irrevocable Trust, c/o JPB Development, 270 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 92660.20051130iqqw2pknPHOTOS BY DOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)A woman holds a program at Jason Baldwin’s funeral Tuesday.20051130iqqw29knPHOTOS BY DOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Pallbearers carry Jason Baldwin’s coffin from Our Lady Queen of Angels Church. Baldwin was killed in a plane crash Nov. 19. 20051130iqqw3bknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Kelley Renezeder, Jason Baldwin’s sister, is embraced after her brother’s funeral in Newport Beach on Tuesday.