Ted Luedke

Ted (“Tex”) Luedke, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, horseman, entrepreneur, historian, author, and publisher, passed away on July 8, 2026, at the age of 86.

Ted shared a remarkable life and enduring partnership with his beloved wife of many years, Catherine "Katy" Grimmer Luedke, whose love, dedication, and adventurous spirit were the foundation of their life together. Throughout their marriage, Ted and Katy pursued their passions side by side, creating a life filled with hard work, entrepreneurship, and a deep appreciation for the land and animals they loved.

Ted lived a life defined by service, discipline, independence, and dedication to the pursuits that mattered most to him.

Ted proudly served his country in both the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Army Reserve. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1958 and served as an Aviation Radio Repairman, attaining the rank of Corporal. His service included assignments at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, as well as deployments to Atsugi, Japan, and Futenma, Okinawa. He served with Marine aviation units associated with the 1st and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings and earned the Good Conduct Medal before transferring to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1962, and finally concluding his Reserves service in 1964.

Following his Marine Corps service, Ted continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 84th Division Railsplitters. He served as a Drill Sergeant at Fort McCoy and rose through the ranks to Sergeant Major (E-9), which is the Army's highest enlisted position. His military career reflected the discipline, accountability, and commitment to excellence that characterized him throughout his life.

Later in life, Ted continued serving fellow veterans through a military Honor Guard, participating in funeral ceremonies and helping ensure veterans were remembered with dignity and respect.

Outside the military, Ted's greatest passion was horses. Alongside Katy, he spent more than twenty-two years breeding champion Morab horses through their Box LT Morab program. Their horses earned recognition for athleticism, versatility, endurance, and distinctive pinto markings. Long after the breeding program concluded in 2008, Box LT Morabs continued to be ridden and competed by owners throughout the country.

A dedicated historian of the Morab breed, Ted wrote, published, and distributed Morab Moments, first copyrighted in 1998. He also contributed articles to Morab Perspective, developed websites, provided web design services through Box LT Ranch Web Creation, and produced numerous electronic publications. Together, Ted and Katy combined their experience in livestock, agriculture, marketing, and communications to establish several successful ventures under the Box LT brand.

For ten years, Ted and Katy lived on a 120-acre ranch near Ava, Missouri, where they developed and operated their horse-breeding program. Ted considered the property the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. In 2008, they relocated to Ozark, Missouri, beginning a new chapter that included travel and seasonal living in Aransas Pass, Texas, where they established a winter home at Southern Oaks Luxury RV Park.

Those who knew Ted would describe him as determined, self-reliant, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to the pursuits he valued. Horses, military service, hard work, and his partnership with Katy remained the central threads of his life.

Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, and center of his universe Catherine "Katy" Grimmer Luedke. He is survived by his son, Tyre (Melissa) Luedke; his daughter, Karrine (Jeff) Kolbow; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Katy's daughter, Debbie White; Katy’s sons, Randy Phelps, Tracy (Jenny) Phelps; and Katy’s grandchildren.

A private service will be held by the family. Military honors will be rendered in recognition of his service to the nation.

Ted leaves behind a legacy reflected in the soldiers he trained, the horses he bred, the publications he produced, and the life he built through persistence and purpose.

Semper Fidelis.