Baker, Robert L. and Frieda Ottilia Cherry

Lea County Families and Histories, "Then and Now", Vol II, 1984

Submitted by: Frieda Baker

     The parents of six children and grandparents of ten, Robert Lee and Frieda Ottilia (Cherry) Baker married in 1948 in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Born in 1924 to Mary Ann (Hamilton) and Edward Charles Baker at Boliver, Missouri, Bob came from a family of thirteen. He grew up in the Missouri Ozarks and is a fine storyteller of his childhood during the Depression.

     Bob married Lucille Morre before joing the Army in WOrld War II. They had one daughter from this union, Wilmetta Lee Baker born in 1942. Bob served as Private First Class with the Company M of the 349th Infantry Division campaigning in Africa and Italy. He was awarded the European, African, and Middle East Theatre Campaign Ribbon. Bob and Lucille were divorced soon after the war ended.

     Frieda was born in 1930 in Harrisburg, Colorado to Sophie Lenore (Herman) and Wesley Francis Cherry. She was raised on a farm and graduated from Akron High School.

     In 1958 Bob and Frieda moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico where Bob worked at White Sands Missile Range as a civilian. In 1967, Bob volunteered to go to Viet Nam as a Project Counter working for the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Cam Rahn Bay, He earned a fourth star for his Theatre Campaign Ribbon there.

     In June 1969, the Bakers moved to Hobbs. Bob has been employed by Kerr McGee since 1972 and Frieda has been empoyed bu Hobbs Schools since 1973.

     Their children include:John Leroy Baker marrued to Patty (Eicholtz) living in Albuerque with three children - John, Jim and Christopher; James Eugen Baker married to Jana (Russell) Baker with three sons - Robert, Russell and Roy; Kristi Bobette Ball married to Barney W. Ball living in Hobbs with their two children - Susan and DArrell; Mary Kathryn (Kathi) Norris married to Kenneth L. Norris, Jr. living in Hobbs with their two sons - Kenneth III and Jeremiah; and a set of twins, Kimberly Wandelle and Kandace Janelle BAker, both attending college.

     Bob's oldest daughter, Wilmette Lee lives in Alamogordo with her three children - Chuck, Lisa and Tommy.