Charles Lee Baker

1927 - 2017

Charles Lee Baker, 89, a native of Charlotte NC, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ron Tippens officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Charlie was born August 25, 1927 to the late Henton Lee and Lillian Ware Baker. He graduated from Central High School of Charlotte, received a BS in Civil Engineering from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, and an MS in Environmental Engineering from NC State University. He served two-year terms in the US Navy and in the Army. Throughout the years, he served as Deacon, Elder, and Sunday school teacher at the Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, and formerly at the Commonwealth Presbyterian Church, where he was also Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 122. An avid golfer, he also loved playing and watching baseball, and was a pitcher in college and while in the armed services.

A registered Professional Engineer in eight southeastern states, Charlie was a retired Regional Vice President, Director, and Senior Consultant with HDR Engineering. He was a member of several related professional associations, including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Engineers, and the American Water Works Association. He made multiple trips to the Sudan and northern Africa, carrying out water studies in drought areas for the US Agency for International Development.

He was involved for many years in a broad spectrum of public services. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Charlotte Airport Advisory Committee for 7 years, and as a multi-engine, instrument rated private pilot logged more than 3000 hours of flight time. For 12 years he was Chairman of the NC Environmental Management Commission. He served on the NC Mining Commission, the NC State Physics and Math Sciences Board, the UNCC Engineering Advisory Board, the UNCC Athletic Foundation, the First Flight Centennial Commission, and was elected to three terms on the Charlotte City Council.

A participant in a wide variety of civic activities, he served in 1966 as Chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg City-County Water Study Committee that ultimately resulted in the development of a regional water system. He was Vice-Chairman of the Charlotte Urban Symposium of 1980. He was Charlotte representative of the Centralina Council of Governments, and served on the Discovery Place Board of Directors, the Charlotte Sister Cities Committee, and the Sharon Towers Board of Directors. He served the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce in several capacities, including the Transportation Committee, the Rapid Transit Subcommittee, the Aviation Committee, and the Board of Directors.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mamie-Clara Taylor Baker of Charlotte, formerly of Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Carol Ann Baker-Tharp of Los Angeles, CA, and is survived by two sons, Kerry (Cathy) of Harrisburg, NC, and Chuck (Jackie) of Clover, SC, a son-in-law, Michael Tharp, six grandchildren including Matthew (Liz), Kyle (Amanda), Brian (Michael), Claire (Caleb) Moore, Brandon (Pamela), and Lauren (Zach) Grier, and five great-grandchildren, Connor, Charlie, Emily, Zhenning, and Jack.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church, Improvement Fund, PO Box 25903, Charlotte, NC 28229-5903.

Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton is serving the Baker family.