Theodore C. "Ted" Search, Jr., 80
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[CHESTER - Theodore C. "Ted" Search, Jr., 80, died at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010, in Three Springs Lodge in Chester, following a short conflict with pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia.
Ted was born Feb. 1, 1930, in Harrisburg, to the late Theodore C. "Ted" Search, Sr. and Mildred (Werre) Search. His family moved to Chester in 1934, when Ted, Sr. and Adolph "Dolph" Werre bought Chester Motor and Implement Co. (now known as Chester Chrysler Center, Inc.) from Adolph's uncle, John Herschbach.
Ted attended St. John Lutheran School. He graduated from Chester High School in 1948, where he was very active, and excelled, in football and basketball. Baseball was not a school sport at the time, but Ted participated in many summer leagues. The groundwork had been laid for years of future sports involvement.
Ted entered Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO, where he not only lettered in football and basketball, but also was named to the All-Missouri Junior College team and earned an athletic basketball scholarship to the University of Louisville, Ky. He graduated from U of L in 1952, and remained close to Cardinal basketball over the years.
On Aug. 4, 1951, Ted married Angela Scott of Chester. They moved back to Chester in 1953, and Ted joined the family automobile business as Parts and Service Manager. In July 1971, Ted, Sr. passed away and Ted, Jr. accepted the challenge to manage the business. He incorporated and changed the company name to Chester Chrysler-Plymouth Co. Because of subsequent Dodge and Jeep franchise additions over the years, the business name once again changed to the current Chester Chrysler Center, Inc. where Ted remained as president for the last 39 years.
Having accomplished so much in the automobile business, one would think it consumed his life. Not quite. Ted's true love and passion could be found on the high school football fields and basketball courts of Southern Illinois and beyond.
Ted was a registered Illinois High School Association football, basketball and baseball official for 31 years. His successful career followed in his father's footsteps. Ted, Sr. is an inaugural member of the 1973 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame class. Ted, Jr.'s admittance into the same IBCA Hall of Fame fraternity in 1988, was not only was his "finest hour," but also placed the Searches as being the IBCA's first father and son duo to be inducted.
During his officiating career, Ted worked the IHSA basketball finals in '69, '70 and '71, the last years when it was still a one-class system. Although he worked the football finals in '69, '70 and '80, it was the weekly camaraderie shared with his long-time football "crew" that he cherished most. His fairness and judgment even reached beyond as he was once asked to, and did, "referee" a charitable Monopoly Tournament.
Ted served as football rules interpreter for the IHSA for many years. He was a member of the old Egyptian Officials Association. He wrote a weekly sports article for the local paper "Do You Boo Intelligently." Ted received many a "late night" phone call to settle a "rules dispute" sometimes leaving the comfort of home to join in the "discussion."
In his hometown, Ted was always involved. He was member of the Chester Chamber of Commerce and received the Citizen of the Year award in 1998. He organized Chester Night at Busch Stadium, and for over 20 years was the man behind the scenes in providing towns people with the opportunity to watch the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals. He was an avid Cardinal fan and critic. Just days before his departure he lamented, "They can't hit their way out of a wet paper bag."
Ted was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and served on both St. John Lutheran and Chester High School school boards. He was a member Chester Elks, Chester Country Club and Popeye Picnic Committee. He was the Popeye Picnic Parade Marshall in 2000. Ted coached little league baseball when the Prim Sox were the Bad News Bears of the era.
Following officiating retirement, Ted enjoyed Chester Yellowjacket sports especially football and, of course, critiquing the evening's officials. Even before giving up the whistle, Ted was instrumental in forming the first Chester Booster Club. He was a big Illini football and basketball fan. Over the years he enjoyed bowling (good), golfing (average) and fishing (poor).
Now somewhere between the job, the hobby, and the activities, Ted found time to travel and loved it. He and Angela's trips took them to every continent but Antarctica, and that was probably in the planning stages.
Regarding planning their trips, Ted always said, "You've got to have something to look forward to" (and they had a trip planned for next March). He especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren on trips and made it a point to schedule one every summer.
But up to the end, it was family that mattered most to Ted.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Angela; five sons, Tom (Vicki) of Chester, Tad of San Antonio, Texas, Toby (Gina) of Columbia, Tate (Leah) of Chester and Tucker (Stacey) of Chester; grandchildren, Tyson (Amber) Search of Columbia, Courtney (Rip) Rowan of Imperial, MO, Tanner Search and Trey Search of Columbia, Tyler Search and Nicole Search of Chester and Josh Chambers and Jamie Chambers of Chester.
Great-granddaughter, Reagan Search, brought Ted most recent precious moments, as did the news of "two more on the way".
A family member recalled Ted once saying, "Chester sure has a lot of characters." He probably never realized such, but he was one of them.
With Ted Search you always knew where you stood, like it or not, a "straight shooter." He enjoyed a good meal (Steak 'N Shake), a good drink and plenty of laughs. He enjoyed a joke, enjoyed telling a joke. His most prized possession may have been his folder full of miscellaneous "Search humor." He was known to send anonymous birthday cards as well as signed disparaging remarks to politicians.
Ted, Dad and Grandpa, left this world with one wish in particular, "I don't want anybody to be sad over this. I want a celebration. I want lots of laughs and memories." That was Ted Search.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home in Chester, IL, with the Rev. Mark Willig officiating. Interment will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.