Theodore "Ted" Martin

Obituary Theodore (Ted) Frederick Martin, 90, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015. Born October 5, 1924 to Alexander Woodson and Elizabeth Marie Martin, Ted was the third oldest of five children. He grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he eventually met his wife Helen Matson at a department store where they were both employed. Ted was returning from his time with the United States Army and walked into the department store wearing his uniform. Helen was working that day and looked in Ted's direction. Their eyes met and two were smitten right from the start. Ted and Helen were married on January 30, 1945. During the first fourteen years of their marriage, Ted and Helen were blessed with eleven children. They were deeply in love and committed to raising their family in Wichita. It was during that time that Ted became the manager of a department store called J.M. McDonald. Under his management, the store thrived due to the fostering of knowledgeable customer service, effective marketing techniques, and high volume sales of quality goods. Ted managed with an eye for detail, a drive for excellence and, overall, integrity and honesty in all business dealings. His management techniques and proven record of success were recognized in short order by his employer, who recommended Ted to lead the revitalization of several other stores in the J.M. McDonald's chain. Over the next several years, Ted, Helen and their children moved a number of times to accommodate Ted's assignments as new management for various stores. In 1986, Ted and Helen moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Ted became a custom kitchen designer and expert salesman for AAAH! The Kitchen Place, Inc. Ted's days were filled with work he enjoyed, time with his wonderful wife, and visits from his children and grandchildren. Among other activities, Ted was an expert checkers player (especially in matches against his grandchildren), a dedicated mystery/suspense novel reader, and a "shoot em up" movie watcher. Just a few short years after moving to Fort Collins, Ted lost his beloved Helen due to complications from an illness on August 8, 1989. On April 4, 1992, Ted married Florence Townsend, an adventurous woman whose love for Ted was immeasurable. During their marriage, the happy couple enjoyed several excursions to numerous places in the United States and abroad. Among their travels were many trips to visit their children and grandchildren located throughout the country. Ted and Florence were inseparable and joyfully in love. Florence passed away on July 1, 2013 surrounded by family. Some time later, Ted joined his daughter Constance and son-in-law Kirby in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado. There, he was cared for with much love and many visits from family, which he looked forward to and cherished beyond measure. The highlights of his days were time with his children and grandchildren and enjoying the antics of and stories about his great grandchildren. Ted lived a full life and he will be remembered for his wisdom, integrity, quick wit and love for his family. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who held him dear. Ted is survived by his two sisters, Teresa Weber and Elizabeth Lovejoy; eleven children, Janice (Stephen) Jenkins, Elizabeth (Ralph) Thomm, Constance (Kirby) Clarke, Karolyn Dawson, Marilyn Martin, JeanAnne (George) Bemis, Patricia Green, Nancy (Jeff) Lungren, James (Ginger) Martin, Teresa (James) Hurst, Daniel (Karen) Martin; twenty-five grandchildren and thirty-nine great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27th from 9am to 3pm at Vessey Funeral Service, 2649 E. Mulberry Street, Unit A-1, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 and on Thursday, May 28th at 9am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 W. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 28th at 10am, followed immediately by a reception in St. Joseph's parish hall. Following the reception, a graveside service will be held at 1pm at Resthaven Memorial Park located at 8426 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins, Colorado. Flowers or memorial contributions may sent to Vessey Funeral Service to the address noted MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS 1. St. Joseph's Catholic Church or 2. PVH and MCR Foundation PLEASE indicate "Neurologic Music Therapy -- Ted Martin on the check notation line. Condolences of sympathy may be sent to Ted's family at www.VesseyFuneralService.com Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Theodore "Ted" Martin