Theodore J. Wordlaw

August 27, 1939 – August 5, 2024

Maywood, Illinois

Theodore James Wordlaw, affectionately known as Ted and Teddy, was born on August 27, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the fifth of six children of Clarence and Theodora Wordlaw. Ted lived a life filled with passion, dedication, and service to his family & community.

On Monday, August 5, 2024, Ted passed away at home in Maywood, Illinois. He was welcomed into the land of “milk and honey” by his beloved wife, Jean. Ted was also preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Theodora Wordlaw, as well as his loving sisters Viola Mae Thomas (Henry), and Birdie Rose Alexander (John).

Ted accepted Christ into his life at an early age, attending Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church where he was a part of the Junior Choir. He had a fun filled boyhood growing up on 14th street, playing sports, and working in his father’s cleaners.

Ted was educated in Chicago Public schools, where he attended William Gladstone Elementary School (1954) and Crane Technical High School (1958). After graduation Ted received a football scholarship to Parsons Junior College in Kansas City, Kansas. Ted left Parsons after receiving a four year football scholarship at Albion College in Albion, Michigan.

One summer while home from college in 1960, Ted met his beloved wife Jean at a church picnic. They married on April 28, 1962 and enjoyed 49 years of marriage. Together they raised four daughters: Kim, Kristina, Kathryn, and Kenya.

Ted joined the United States Air Force in 1962. He served in the Air Force from January 3, 1962, to December 30, 1965, specializing as a Morse Code Intercept Operator holding a top-secret security clearance. In 1964, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands. While deployed, he attended the University of the Philippines and completed his college degree. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 1965.

After serving in the Air Force and receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1966, Ted returned home to Chicago where he began his career in marketing with Standard Oil. This was a notable accomplishment as he was the first of few black men in the industry as corporate executives in the company at that time. Ted went on to work for Standard Oil for 18 years, retiring early to start his own business, TJ Wordlaw Realty. He obtained his agent’s license in 1985, then became a broker. Ted would continue in this profession until 2018.

Ted served on the Board of Directors of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago in the early stages of its founding. In the Museum’s infancy, Ted’s dedication to Black history and the Black community contributed greatly to the Museum flourishing as a vital, cultural, and educational resource that it is today. He was President of the Board at DuSable in 1981. He stood firmly on working for the advancement of Black people. Ted leveraged his position at Standard Oil to help finance many endeavors of the DuSable Museum, Operation Push, and the Urban League.

Inspired by his nephew, Bruce Amon, Ted began his 25-year tennis journey. He was so committed to playing that he managed to be ranked as an amateur by Tennis Magazine in the 1970s. His love for tennis was matched only by his commitment to promoting the sport and fostering a sense of community among its players. He was a founding member of the Maywood Tennis Association, an organization that continues to thrive today thanks to his vision and leadership. He truly enjoyed his tennis community through which lifelong friendships were created.

In the early 80's, Ted found a way to help the community with their finances by establishing a Credit Union for Cosmopolitan Community Church. Ted knew that if his credit union and other small credit unions were to survive, they needed to work together. Ted and other credit union leaders came together and formed the Faith Based Credit Union Alliance that over the years now has 33 credit unions.

Before he could claim any level of accomplishment, Ted loved jazz. He introduced his wife to it, taking her to see the iconic Miles Davis when Miles was in his phase of playing his trumpet with his back to the audience, which Jean found rude. He passed his love of jazz and all music along to his children and grandchildren.

Ted’s second season of fatherhood began, when he went on to raise his 3 oldest grandsons. Ted loved attending pee wee, high school, and college football games, in addition to countless wrestling meets. After raising 4 girls, Ted simply loved this new phase in his life.

Taking an interest in shaping young minds, he joined Real Men Read, dedicating immeasurable hours to reading books to children in the Chicago Public School system. His love for literature and education left an indelible mark on many young students, inspiring them to explore the wonders of reading and learning.

Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean. He is survived by his children, Kim, Kristina Wordlaw Smith (Melvin), Kathryn Wordlaw Bailey (Patrick), and Kenya; his grandchildren, Julius Hudson, Jaaron Hudson, Jarvis Hudson, Christian Sheridan, Michaela Bailey, Kieran Bailey, Yasmin Smith, and Yanni Smith; and his great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Hudson, Sophia Hudson, Naomi Hudson, Asayah Sheridan, and Karter Rose Hudson. His loving sister Ruth (Clarence-deceased), and brothers Clarence Jr (Pearl), Robert (Phyllis), and numerous family, friends, and community members that will forever cherish his memory.

Ted’s legacy of dedication, leadership, and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Especially for his jokes. Merry Christmas!

A visitation for Theodore will be held Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130. Morning visitation Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10am until the start of service at 11am at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Services conclude this afternoon.