Theodore Hiesser Jr.

Theodore “Ted” Hiesser Jr., age 90, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and son, and was a faithful member of the Catholic Church all of his life.

Ted was born on January 17, 1934 to Hilda and Theodore Hiesser Sr. in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Edison High School in 1952. After graduating, he worked on airplane engines and cars in San Antonio, Texas. He married his sweetheart, Evelyn Nebgen, on August 6, 1955 in Stonewall, Texas. Work took Ted and Evelyn from San Antonio, Texas to Houston, Texas to Cincinnati, Ohio to Birmingham, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama to West Palm Beach, Florida to Raleigh, North Carolina and then back to Houston in 1972. He took early retirement and started his own car repair and sales shop, Tedco Motors. He later exchanged cars for tractors and ran Tedco Tractors for many years.

Ted and Evelyn drove classic cars: T-birds, a Model A, an Edsel, and of course their Mustangs! They enjoyed membership in Houston-area antique car clubs and volunteered at the Pate Swap Meet in Fort Worth for many years. They drove their RV to the Indy 500 race for over 20 years. Evelyn and Ted traveled all across the US in their RV. They also traveled to England and France, including London, Paris, Arras, and Mulhouse from where his grandfather emigrated.

Ted volunteered at church and was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a real people-person and could engage anyone in conversation. He was known for his gentleness, kindness, and humor and always helped family and friends. He loved playing the guitar and singing Hank Williams songs. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife, including square dancing, and of course country and western dancing.

Ted is survived by his three daughters Debbie Tripp, Valerie Gear, and Sandra Emerson (Matt); five grandchildren Rob Tripp (Heer Mehta), Sarah Gear-Carranza (Eddie), Timothy Emerson, Daniel Emerson, and Rachel Emerson; and one great-granddaughter Faye Tripp.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, Hilda and Theodore; and his son-in-law Keith Gear. Ted is also survived by his sister, Fran Hiesser, and loved by many nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Visitation will occur on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, funeral service at 11:00 am, and entombment at 12:00 pm at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home,13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com for the Hiesser family.