Don Baldis spent his early years in Decatur, Illinois. After high school graduation, he went to St. Louis for training in airplane maintenance. This took him to California where the work opportunity was better. However, he soon was drafted and went into the Army Air Force. He had training at several places over the United States, then when his service time was over, they went back to California. He went to school on the GI Bill; worked as an optician and later for an optometrist.

He took lessons and learned to play the steel guitar. He was saved as an adult and soon thereafter was ordained as a deacon at Bethel Baptist Church, Escondido. He served many years on various committees there and later at Valley Baptist, Valley Center.

-Louise Hankins