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Obituaries

Obituaries » Louis Donald Champion

Louis Donald Champion

January 13, 1925 - August 19, 2024

U.S. Veteran

Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6pm – 6:45pm with a funeral service following at 7:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5850 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL. Don will be laid to rest with his wife on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:00am at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.

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Louis Donald “Don” Champion was a devoted and loving husband and father who passed away on August 19, 2024 in Chandler, AZ, he was born January 1925, to Louis A Champion & Fredricka Champion in Utica, NY. Don attended St. Cloud High School, Florida and Little Falls High School, NY. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1943 – 1945 during World War II in the Pacific Theatre (Marshall Islands). Don graduated from the University of Florida (GO Gators) with a Degree in Secondary Education & Minor in Psychology. Don taught in the Polk County School System at Bartow Senior High School as a History Teacher for over 30 years. He was a member of PEA, FEA, NEA, The Exchange Club, Sponsor Florida Future Teachers of America BHS chapter. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various church callings throughout his life: High Councilman in the Orlando Stake, President of the Bartow Branch, Sunday School President, and teacher (Bartow and Lakeland).

Don loved to dance with his wife to Big Band Style music (1930-1940’s) and was voted best dancer in high school. He loved camping, hiking and fishing especially in National Parks (he usually spent his summer vacation camping throughout the United States) Don was a lover of 1940’s Big Band music and Jazz, photography, bicycling and doing DIY repairs & projects.

Don is predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Emily B. Champion; parents, Louis A. Champion and Fredricka I. Johnson; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Champion Bass & Maxwell Bass; Emily’s sister and brother-in-law, Ann B. Rossi & Lee Rossi.

Don is survived by daughter, Ellen C. Wheeler (B. Evan Wheeler); son, Paul Logan Champion (Dorothy Jensen Champion); grandsons, Mark Louis Champion and Jared Philip Champion (Kristiann Frisby Champion); nephews, Clay Bass and Paul Samarotto; niece, Janet S. Hoffman.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6pm – 6:45pm with a funeral service following at 7:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5850 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL. Don will be laid to rest with his wife on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:00am at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.