Theodore Vladimir Fekula

Capt. Theodore V. Fekula, USN Ret., passed away peacefully, with family by his side on September 12, 2026 at the age of 93. He was a loving father and an adventurous spirit. He is survived by his daughter, Katherine Fekula Gotcher (Darrell) of Richardson, TX, daughter Carol Fekula Kelleher (John) of Cranberry Twp., PA and son Michael J. Fekula of Nuevo, CA. Also, grandchildren Michael (Joe) J. Fekula, Jr., Kevan Kelleher (Lauren), Jack Kelleher and Kara Gotcher. More recent joys in his life were his great grandchildren Audrey Fekula, Sophie Kelleher and William Kelleher. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Geraldine Fekula, his son, John Fekula and his grandson, William Kelleher.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA to Vladimir Michael Fekula and Anna Sugars Fekula, Ted would go on to explore life on the seas. He attended Admiral Billard Academy, a Naval prep school in New London CT, and received a presidential appointment to the US Naval Academy (B.S.), earned an M.B.A. from Harvard University, and received a CNO appointment to attend American University for his PHD study.

He met the love of his life, Geraldine Kloiber Fekula on a double date at Annapolis and spent a wonderful 70 plus years by her side. He traveled the world with the Navy, first upon the attack cargo ship, the USS Matthews, then the destroyer, USS Trathen. He was a proud “Tin Can Sailor”. He then sailed the South Pacific with an LST squadron. He served in operational logistics planning for the Cuban Missile Crisis before participating in the conversion and commission of the USS Annapolis, a ship to shore communications ship. Ted also worked on the Anti-Submarine Systems Warfare project, the LHA project and at the Defense Logistics Agency. He ended his Naval career as Director of the Production Division of the Navy Electronic Systems Command and as the Commander of Defense Contract Administration in Cleveland. Upon retirement, Ted spent an additional twenty years with Lockheed and Ford Aerospace in Saudi Arabia as a Director of Logistics. With an insatiable curiosity, knowledge and sense of adventure, he was the most interesting person we knew. Ted was our “Google”.

(From his children) Our Dad was never afraid to load the four of us into the station wagon for an adventure. From the National Forests he was so fond of, the nature walks, skiing and camping in New England, and at our beloved Assateague Island, Dad knew how to keep our interest. Like Chinese New Year in Manhattan in our 1960 Dodge station wagon with the fins, trying to catch the dragon, he taught us to be unafraid to meet a challenge. ANYTIME with our Dad was an adventure. We are so appreciative. There will never be anyone else remotely like him and we are forever grateful and proud to be his kids! (and Grandkids!)