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|religion=[[United Methodist]]
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'''Champion Lee Baker, Sr.''', known as '''Champ Leroy Baker, Sr.''' (March 9, 1919 – December 23, 1985),<ref name=bakergeni>{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Champ-Baker-Sr/6000000001112314388|title=Champ Leroy Baker, Sr.|publisher=Geni.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name=alexandriamemorialgardens>{{cite web|url=https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58012490|title=Capt. Champion Lee "Champ" Baker, Sr.|publisher=Old.findagrave.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> was a civic figure in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], [[Louisiana]].
'''Champion Lee Baker, Sr.''', known as '''Champ Leroy Baker, Sr.''' (March 9, 1919 – December 23, 1985),<ref name=bakergeni>{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Champ-Baker-Sr/6000000001112314388|title=Champ Leroy Baker, Sr.|publisher=Geni.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name=alexandriamemorialgardens>{{cite web|url=https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58012490|title=Capt. Champion Lee "Champ" Baker, Sr.|publisher=Old.findagrave.com|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> was a civic and political figure in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], [[Louisiana]].
==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 born in the small town of Boyce in northern Rapides Parish, where his mother had also been born. His official first name "Champion" was that of his maternal grandfather, Champion Pennington Johnson (1849-1996), a native of Harmony, [[North Carolina]]., whom Baker never knew. He used the name "Champ Leroy Baker"; hence, the "Champ" is derived from "Champion".
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 born in the small town of Boyce in northern Rapides Parish, where his mother had also been born. His official first name "Champion" was that of his maternal grandfather, Champion Pennington Johnson (1849-1996), a native of Harmony, [[North Carolina]]., whom Baker never knew. He used the name "Champ Leroy Baker"; hence, the "Champ" is derived from "Champion".
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 – August 18, 2010), a native of , the capital and largest city of the [[Baltic Sea]] state of [[Estonia]]. Mrs. Baker was the younger of two daughters 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, [[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 is Dr. Champ (Lee) Baker, III (born January 21, 1976), is a sports doctor affiliated with the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.<ref name=mrsbaker/>.
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 – August 18, 2010), a native of , the capital and largest city of the [[Baltic Sea]] state of [[Estonia]]. Mrs. Baker was the younger of two daughters 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, [[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 is Dr. Champ (Lee) Baker, III (born January 21, 1976), is a sports doctor affiliated with the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.<ref name=mrsbaker/>.
==Career==
==Career==
Baker was the long-term director of the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & Development District at 3514 Parliament Drive in Alexandria, a quasi-government multi-purpose body which among other functions prepares land-use guidelines and distributes law enforcement grants for eight Central Louisiana parishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/214412737/|title=New Federal Aid Explained to Law Enforcement Heads|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=January 30, 1969|page=6|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
Baker was the long-term director of the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & Development District at 3514 Parliament Drive in Alexandria, a quasi-government multi-purpose body which among other functions prepares land-use guidelines and distributes law enforcement grants for eight Central Louisiana parishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/214412737/|title=New Federal Aid Explained to Law Enforcement Heads|publisher=The Alexandria Town Talk|date=January 30, 1969|page=6|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
In 1977, Baker, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], ran for [[mayor]] of Alexandria in the first election under the mayor-council charter, which replaced the former commission city government. He ran third, but outgoing Mayor [[John K. Snyder]] ran strongly enough to enter a runoff contest with Carroll Edwin Lanier (1926-2012), who from 1969 to 1973 was the finance and utilities commissioner under the previous government. In this same election cycle, [[W. A. "Dub" Carruth]], a prominent house and apartment developer, won an at-large seat on the new Alexandria City Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=w-a-carruth-dub&pid=189576482&fhid=11989|title=W. A. "Dub" Carruth obituary|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=July 13, 2018|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> A native of Ashley County, [[Arkansas]], Lanier defeated Snyder, 68-32 percent. Five years later, Snyder turned the tables on Lanier to gain a second non-consecutive term as mayor in 1982. Then in 1986, Snyder was unseated by long-term mayor Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016). In addition to Baker, other losing candidates in the 1977 race were Dr. Judith Ward-Steinman Karst, the then wife of former Mayor Charles Edward Karst (1931-1992),outgoing Finance and Utilities Commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal (1923-2010), and former state Representative Larry Parker.(1922-1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20121205/NEWS01/212050317/Former-Alexandria-Mayor-Carroll-Lanier-dies-86?|author=Cynthia D. Jardon|title=Former Alexandria Mayor Carroll Lanier dies at 86|publisher=The Alexandria Town Talk|date=December 5, 2012|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
In 1977, Baker, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], ran for [[mayor]] of Alexandria in the first election under the mayor-council charter, which replaced the former commission city government. He ran third, but outgoing Mayor [[John K. Snyder]] ran strongly enough to enter a runoff contest with Carroll Edwin Lanier (1926-2012), who from 1969 to 1973 was the finance and utilities commissioner under the previous government. In this same election cycle, [[W. A. "Dub" Carruth]], a prominent house and apartment developer, won an at-large seat on the new Alexandria City Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=w-a-carruth-dub&pid=189576482&fhid=11989|title=W. A. "Dub" Carruth obituary|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=July 13, 2018|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> A native of Ashley County, [[Arkansas]], Lanier defeated Snyder, 68-32 percent. Five years later, Snyder turned the tables on Lanier to gain a second non-consecutive term as mayor in 1982. Then in 1986, Snyder was unseated by long-term mayor Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016). In addition to Baker, other losing candidates in the 1977 race were Dr. Judith Ward-Steinman Karst, the then wife of former Mayor Charles Edward Karst (1931-1992),outgoing Finance and Utilities Commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal (1923-2010), and former state Representative Larry Parker.(1922-1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20121205/NEWS01/212050317/Former-Alexandria-Mayor-Carroll-Lanier-dies-86?|author=Cynthia D. Jardon|title=Former Alexandria Mayor Carroll Lanier dies at 86|publisher=The Alexandria Town Talk|date=December 5, 2012|accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>