Changes

==Background==

==Background==

One of eight children of Richard Baker (1876-1936), a painter originally from Holland, [[Michigan]], and the former Maud LaDell Johnson (1884-1981),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Richard-Baker/6000000001112075033|title=Richard Baker genealogy|publisher=Geni.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> Baker was, like his mother, born in the small town of Boyce in northern Rapides Parish. His first name "Champ" was derived from that of his maternal grandfather, Champion Pennington Johnson (1849-1896), a native of Harmony, [[North Carolina]], whom Baker never knew.  

One of eight children of Richard Baker (1876-1936), a painter originally from Holland, [[Michigan]], and the former Maud LaDell Johnson (1884-1981), Baker was, like his mother, born in the small town of Boyce in northern Rapides Parish. His first name "Champ" was derived from that of his maternal grandfather, Champion Pennington Johnson (1849-1896), a native of Harmony, [[North Carolina]], whom Baker never knew.  

Baker attended Bolton High School in Alexandria. In 1940, he enlisted for military service and became a captain in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]].  He met his wife, the former Astrid Hile (December 17, 1920 &ndash; August 18, 2010), a native of [[Tallinn]], the capital and largest city of the [[Baltic Sea]] state of [[Estonia]]. Mrs. Baker was the younger of two of Gustave Hile, originally Hiielje (1888-1954) and the former Pauline Elisabeth Lindstrom, originally Linzmann (1894-1972)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Pauline-Hiie-Ije/6000000008849557657|title=Pauline Elisabeth Hile|publisher=Geni.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> She was an Army nurse for the Fourth Service Command at Finney General Hospital in Thomasville in southern [[Georgia]].<ref name=mrsbaker>{{cite web|url=https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57345487|title=Astrid Hile Baker|publisher=Old.findagrave.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>

Baker attended Bolton High School in Alexandria. In 1940, he enlisted for military service and became a captain in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]].  He met his wife, the former Astrid Hile (December 17, 1920 &ndash; August 18, 2010), a native of [[Tallinn]], the capital and largest city of the [[Baltic Sea]] state of [[Estonia]]. Mrs. Baker was the younger of two of Gustave Hile, originally Hiielje (1888-1954) and the former Pauline Elisabeth Lindstrom, originally Linzmann (1894-1972) She was an Army nurse for the Fourth Service Command at Finney General Hospital in Thomasville in southern [[Georgia]].<ref name=mrsbaker>{{cite web|url=https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57345487|title=Astrid Hile Baker|publisher=Old.findagrave.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>

Upon his return to civilian life, Baker became a steadfast advocate for veterans' causes. For thirty years, Mrs. Baker was a caseworker for the Louisiana state government. The Bakers had three children, Susanne Carol Nall (born July 21, 1944) and husband Malcolm Howell Nall (born November 4, 1948) of Woodworth, south of Alexandria; Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. (born August 3, 1946), an orthopedic and sports medical doctor in Columbus, Georgia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-champ-baker-x8mw4|title=Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. - Healthgrades|publisher=Healthgrades.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> who is married to the former Sue Anne Owens (born December 30, 1945), and Russell King Baker (born February 19, 1949), and spouse, the former Kathryn "Kathie" Pearce (born June 22, 1959), of Lorena in McLennan County, south of [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], [[Texas]].  One of their ten grandchildren, Dr. Champ (Lee) Baker, III (born January 21, 1976), is a sports doctor affiliated with the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.<ref name=mrsbaker/>.

Upon his return to civilian life, Baker became a steadfast advocate for veterans' causes. For thirty years, Mrs. Baker was a caseworker for the Louisiana state government. The Bakers had three children, Susanne Carol Nall (born July 21, 1944) and husband Malcolm Howell Nall (born November 4, 1948) of Woodworth, south of Alexandria; Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. (born August 3, 1946), an orthopedic and sports medical doctor in Columbus, Georgia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-champ-baker-x8mw4|title=Dr. Champ Baker, Jr. - Healthgrades|publisher=Healthgrades.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> who is married to the former Sue Anne Owens (born December 30, 1945), and Russell King Baker (born February 19, 1949), and spouse, the former Kathryn "Kathie" Pearce (born June 22, 1959), of Lorena in McLennan County, south of [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], [[Texas]].  One of their ten grandchildren, Dr. Champ (Lee) Baker, III (born January 21, 1976), is a sports doctor affiliated with the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.<ref name=mrsbaker/>.