Theodore H Steele

Ted was born July 4, 1931 in St. Louis, MO to Henry and Lucy (Hippler) Steele. His mother was returning home to New Mexico by train when she had to stop in St. Louis to give birth. His early years were spent in the San Luis Valley in Colorado where he attended and graduated from a small rural school in the town of Center, in May of 1945.

Ted learned the value of hard work at a young age by working with is father on local ranches in the valley. After graduation he decided to try someplace new, but after a trip to California he found himself back in Colorado living in Parker and working with a local rancher.

Ted joined the Army in October of 1952 and served until being honorably discharged in September 1954 having achieved the rank of Sgt. with the 38th Infantry Division and served one tour of duty in Korea as a Platoon Sgt. After the service he returned to Parker where he met his wife Doris a short time later. They were wed on March 12, 1955 and made their home in Parker where after a few years adopted their first son Keith and later gave birth to daughter Teresa.

Ted volunteered for the Parker Fire Department and for a short time he owned and operated a semi-truck, hauling mostly livestock. He decided to go to work for Mountain Bell where he spent many years as a service technician and eventually transferred to the Fort Collins office.

They lived in Ft. Collins for a few years before they bought some property in Wellington. It was at this time Mark was adopted and the family was complete. The larger family meant they needed more room so he spent the next few years working nights and weekends to build the family home where so many memories have been made.

Again, Ted got the bug to do something different so he purchased another semi-truck and hauled livestock and hay for local trucking companies. After a few years he returned to Mountain Bell until his retirement in 1985. After retirement it didn’t take long to realize he needed something to do so he began working for Colorado State University in the telecommunications department in 1987 working another 10 years before trying retirement again.

This time he decided traveling was the thing to do so they bought a camper and started driving the back roads of many states meeting new people and reconnecting with family members. Right up to the end he was planning a trip to see family in New Mexico and would take advantage of any chance to take day trips, often taking any grandchild that wanted to go. He enjoyed socializing and would call to visit with friends and family on a regular basis. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers and always looked forward to meeting this group of friends for breakfast.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jimmy. He is survived by his wife Doris, daughter Teresa, and sons Keith and Mark, six grandchildren, Jason Mott, Corri Mott, Kelly Quam, Tairan Quam, Kaitlyn Steele and Dustyn Steele. two great-grandchildren Logan and Addison. He is also survived by three sisters, Evelyn Gee, Helen Perkins and Ruby Steele all of New Mexico.