Theodore "Ted" Welch Jacobs

Mr. Jacobs was born in Ashland June 13, 1926, the son of the late Galen D. and Helen (Welch) Jacobs and was a lifelong resident of Ashland County. He had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland for 78 years. Ted was a descendent of pioneer settlers of Ashland County, including the Welch family which settled in Orange Township in 1828.

Ted was a graduate of Ashland High School class of 1944. He was a skilled athlete in baseball, football and especially basketball, setting league records as a Senior, with the team replacing Marion Harding as league champ. In baseball, Ted played third base under coach Sid Boyd. A classmate described his athletic qualifications as follows: "He had the ability to dribble around and through the defense almost at will, to score or pass off to a teammate. Always hustling through the entire game he was dog-ged on defense as well". He enrolled at The Ohio State University in 1944, and was an outstanding player that year for the Big Ten. Military service interrupted his career but he returned to Ohio State and lettered under new coach "Tippy" Dye in 1948, 1949 and 1950.

Ted was rightly proud of his achievements during those years and he remained active in the YMCA basketball league for many years. A veteran of World War II, Ted served on Okinawa near the end of the war.

Ted returned to Ashland to work for his father who owned "The Arcade Restaurant" on East Main Street. Ted eventually took over ownership of this business and older Ashlanders will remember the great meals he provided with the help of his long time chef, J.F. "Lefty" Lindsey. Ted also operated "The Room Downunder" in the basement of the Arcade Building. Later, he became the owner and operator of the Red Barn, or Farm Restaurant, in several locations, including the main one in Ashland. He sponsored many youth teams in the area, including Pony League, Minor League, Church Teams, as well as Industrial Y League, independent teams and fast pitch.

Ted enjoyed boating and fishing and his large, well-stocked farm pond at his home was open by asking to his many friends and their children. Ted was generous to his community, always willing to lend a helping hand or support. He was a devoted son. He was a friend to many including the well known local Roseboro family and hosted a 90th birthday party for John Roseboro, Sr. at the "Red Barn." Ted would say "I've been pretty lucky." And, Ashland County has been pretty lucky to have had Ted Jacobs for so many years.

He is survived by his brother, Leon G. (Mary) Jacobs, as well as Leon's children, Gene and Kathy.

Friends are invited to visit from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2015, in the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Avenue. The funeral service conducted by Rev. Ronald Walker of the First Presbyterian Church will be held in the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will follow in Polk Cemetery.