Theodore "Ted" Murray Zogg

Theodore “Ted” Murray Zogg was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 12, 1948 to Robert Adolph and Kathrine Loraine (Barton) Zogg. He lived most of his life in Farmington, NM with a brief stay in Lubbock, TX where his sister Ellen Marie was born. He lived near his grandparents on his mom’s side, James Murray Palmer and Neva Ethel Thurston.

As a youth, he played Little League Baseball and played football. He was a competitive swimmer and loved swimming. He went to the junior Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He was aiming for the Olympics. But the family moved to Phoenix, AZ in his sophomore year. The swim clubs were too expensive there, and there was no one to compete with, so his interests went to football. His senior year he played drums for Waylon Jennings, but didn’t continue because he didn’t like the lifestyle of drugs. Wayne Newton lived down the street from him and at one time Ted beat him up.

He played football and wrestled at Phoenix Junior College. He transferred to Northern Arizona University and broke his shoulder wrestling. He saw a girl working in the school cafeteria and told his friend that was who he was going to marry. To meet her, he started working in the cafeteria and told the other boys to leave her alone. She asked if anyone was going to Phoenix one weekend so he volunteered, and the love story began. Three dates later, he asked her to marry him and the answer was yes. On November 25, 1967 he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been a true and active follower of Jesus Christ his entire life. Ted and Georgene were married on April 11, 1968.

His draft number was coming up for Vietnam, so he enlisted to do supply. After basic training, he came home for the birth of his daughter, Dorothy Lou, nicknamed Dottie. Then he left to attend further training before going to Vietnam. He went to flight school to fly helicopters and became a Warrant Officer on March 9, 1970. Flying and being an officer were his dreams. He was proud to serve his country. He went to Vietnam, flew helicopters, was a scout, pilot, and sprayed agent orange.

Before Vietnam, Ted and Georgene were sealed in the Mesa, AZ temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for time and all eternity on May 17, 1969. He once asked Georgene if she ever thought he would not return home. Georgene said no – Georgene had faith he would, never doubted, never feared.

Upon return he went to helicopter maintenance school, then was sent to Ansbach, Germany for 3 years.

While in Germany, the family was expanded by 2. Theodore Murray Zogg II on August 13, 1972 and Lynda Viola Zogg on October 21, 1973. The family was able to tour Italy and France before returning home in August 1974 to Fort Riley, KS. Their response was “Where is Kansas?” Soon, they would find out, settle in, and on December 5, 1974 they welcomed their second son, Samuel Robert Zogg into the family.

While at Fort Riley, Ted started taking classes at Kansas State University, in Education, emphasis in Elementary Education. He was caught in the RIF (Reduction In Forces) from the Salt Agreement. He then worked as a manager at Pizza Hut and continued to go to school, graduating on August 1, 1980.

Ted and Georgene added to their family again on March 27, 1977 – a little girl, Betty Loraine Zogg. Then again on January 22, 1979 a little boy joined, Joseph Gregory Zogg.

The family moved to Wetmore, KS where Ted taught 7th grade and 8th grade Social Studies. He had Dorothy in his class. The other kids thought she would have it easy, but her dad made her work for every grade. The family lived in Wetmore for 2 years and were blessed with another little girl, Donna Neva Zogg on July 22, 1981.

Another move was on the horizon to Highland, KS, as Ted was released from his job as they were consolidating the school. He went to work for a John Deere dealership as a Maintenance Manager. He learned a lot and loved working for them. On June 30, 1983, another little girl entered the family, Suzanne Kristina Zogg.

Ted was looking to join the National Guard, and the commander asked him if he would like to be full time. The answer was a definite yes, and the family was assigned to Ottawa, KS. They packed up and moved the family, including with a 6 week old baby. There was no housing, so the family camped at Pomona Lake. The armory was having a craft show and Ted was introduced to a lady who had a house they could rent, but only for a year. So they moved in to their crowded home with only three bedrooms, but it was better than a tent!

After that, the family moved every year, first to Richmond, KS, then rural Ottawa, KS, where they eventually found their home in Ottawa. Again, the second half of the RIF happened, and Ted was released. He had enough years to retire, but not get retirement until he was 60. Ted went back to school to get his Masters Degree from Pittsburg University and graduated on May 19, 1996 with his degree in Education Administration. He then worked at Blue Mound as a principal, but was again consolidated. The family moved to Moline, KS where Ted worked as a principal for 2 years, and again was consolidated. They packed up and moved to Lexington, NE. It turned out to not be a good fit, so they again moved – this time to White River, SD where he worked as an elementary principal. He loved, loved those little kids. He was offered a promotion that would require the family to move again, this time to Eagle Butte, SD where he would work as an Assistant Superintendent. While in SD, he worked on his Doctorate degree from Bryer State University. Ted would retire in SD, and move back to KS.

In Wichita, Ted started teaching Middle School Special Education. He got his Masters in Special Education, so it was a good fit. A few years later, Ted would go on to teach High School Special Education. He enjoyed his students, and would retire in 2013.

Ted also worked in the Oklahoma City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked there one week each month for several years. A stroke on March 17, 2021 suspended his work. He loved working for the Lord. Next to his family, God was number one in his life. Ted served Him to the very end on February 9, 2025.

He is preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Dorothy Lou Hansen; his parents Robert and Katherine Zogg; and grandmother, Neva Ethel Thurston. .

Ted is survived by his wife, Georgene Donna Zogg; 7 children, T. Murray (Dawn) Zogg, Lynda Viola (Robert) Haight, Samuel Robert (Nina) Zogg, Betty Loraine Zogg, Joseph Gregory Zogg, Donna Neva (Lee) Gilchrist, Suzanne Kristina (Chris) Whiting; 34 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and sister, Ellen (Dennis) Karr.

A visitation for Ted will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2300 N. Buckner St., Derby, KS 67037. His funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM at the same location. His committal service will take place shortly after, at 12:00 PM at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 1208 N. College St., Winfield, KS 67156.