Newton Theodore "Ted" Buras

Newton Theodore “Ted” Buras, 87, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by the comfort of his family and dedicated caregiver. A man of strong drive and seemingly endless energy, Ted leaves behind a legacy he was very proud of. It is impossible to put into words the impact he had on those around him. He will be most remembered for the family he nurtured and the frontiers of space exploration he helped advance.

Ted was born on July 31, 1938 in the Denver Harbor neighborhood of Houston, Texas. As a boy, he moved with his family to Independence, Louisiana, and later to Kenner, Louisiana. He graduated from East Jefferson High School in New Orleans.

In June of 1957, Ted entered the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. After six months of active duty, he transitioned to the Army Reserve, concluding his service in 1963. During his time in the service, he pursued his college education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

It was during a summer job at Sears in New Orleans that Ted met Sheila Cosse, who would become his wife and the mother of his three sons. Following his graduation, Ted began his engineering career at Texas Instruments, with assignments in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, and later at the Michoud Plant in New Orleans. By day he was an engineer, and by night he taught mathematics at Delgado Junior College.

Ted later moved to Pasadena, Texas, with his first wife, Sheila Cosse, where they raised 3 sons. During this time, he began a 38-year career at NASA that would become his life’s great professional adventure. Over the decades, he worked alongside many of the astronauts and engineers who defined America’s space age, contributing to the Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs. He later recorded those experiences in his book, Reach for the Stars, which chronicled his work with John Glenn and other legendary pioneers of human spaceflight.

For many years, Ted served as Scoutmaster of Troop 1032 in Pasadena, guiding generations of boys toward the rank of Eagle Scout. Those who passed through his troop remember a leader who was patient but exacting, encouraging but never indulgent—a man who believed that character is built one campout, one merit badge, and one promise kept at a time. Many of those Scouts went on to become leaders in their own right, a legacy Ted regarded with pride.

During the early years of raising his sons, he was a faithful member of St. Frances Cabrini and later St Luke’s Catholic Church, where Ted served as an usher for many years. He went on later to marry Alice Wilder, who became a steadfast partner in the years that followed. As a couple they enjoyed the niceties of retirement together which included hosting family holidays, attempting to keep up with their grandchildren, and sharing their wisdom with those around them. The couple eventually moved to Franklin, Texas, where they made their home together until Alice’s passing in 2023.

Ted is survived by his three sons, David (Lynde), Kevin, and Brian (Shannon); his stepson, Kenneth (Michelle) and his grandchildren, Bridget (Nathaniel), Samson, Aaron (Alexis), Joey (Monica), Allison (TJ) and Jeremy. He was preceded in death by his brother, George; sister, Barbara and his wives, Sheila Cosse Buras and Alice Wilder Buras.

Private services were held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, New Orleans, Louisiana.

To view and sign the family online guestbook and share your memories of Ted, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

Ad Astra.