Theodore "Ted" Woodrow Kokochak Jr.

Theodore Woodrow Kokochak, Jr, a father, grandfather, brother, and Christian gentleman, passed away on May 10, 2025. Theodore was the eldest son of Theodore W. Kokochak, Sr. and Lois Wylie Kokochak, born on January 25, 1945 in Weirton, WV. He is survived by two children, William Kokochak of Detroit and Dianna Meekins of Preston Maryland, three grandchildren (Timmeka, Dani, Rob), his sister Frances Hostert of Colorado, and his friend and the mother of his children, Metta Kokochak of Preston. In passing, he rejoins his beloved wife Terry Wright Kokochak, his younger siblings Eloise Tavares and Warren Kokochak, and his great-granddaughter Devyn Lynnzie Perkins. Ted grew up on a bucolic farm in the West Virginia northern panhandle in a house without running water and attended a one-room schoolhouse through 4th grade. Throughout his life, he enjoyed recalling the days of his childhood on the farm, baling and stacking hay, tending animals, 4-H livestock club, high school band (Macy's Thanksgiving Parade'60, Rose Bowl Parade '61), and ballroom dancing. His happy demeanor is remembered by those who knew him then and throughout his life. Ted's father and uncles were steelworkers, so Ted got a job at Weirton Steel during college, tending the blast furnace, to earn some extra money. His work ethic was foundational and demonstrated throughout his career and life. Graduating from WVU in 1966 with a degree in Agriculture, he moved his young wife Metta and baby son to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to work for Purdue Farms as a field service representative. Soon the young family added a baby girl. There were tough economic times in the 70's and Ted moved through several jobs, sometimes working two jobs to make ends meet. Throughout these times, and through divorce, he set an example for keeping a positive outlook, remaining honest, never complaining and always persevering. Eventually joining Chickmaster Incubator Company as a service technician, he traveled the country and the world for 25 years installing large, automated chicken incubators in hatcheries. For the first 20 or so years, he travelled the US, eventually putting over 500k miles on two different company Astro vans that he had customized to carry his tools and his travel kit. On many trips, which he fondly recalled, Terry would travel with him. He would stay for 1-4 months at an installation site. He enjoyed visiting state parks and attending local churches. When he and Terry travelled together they became regulars at church, joining the choir and making local acquaintances and friends. During the latter years of his career, the work in the US waned and his incubator installations moved overseas. Ted worked in Africa (Mali, Yemen, Suriname, South Africa), Central America (Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua), South America (Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina), Israel, and Puerto Rico. Wanting to stay in the US and needing to attend more closely as a companion and caregiver to his wife Terry, Ted retired in the early 2000's. During retirement Terry and Ted did more traveling and enjoyed living simply in their Easton apartment. Ted enjoyed collecting Terry Redlin prints, photography, investigating genealogy, and playing games on his computer. During this period, Terry's health declined and Ted was her devoted care giver. This devotion was returned to him in kind by his daughter Dianna who became his caregiver during the last several years, as his own health declined. Ted asked that there be no memorial service. A few family members will gather to return his ashes to a favored spot on a hill on the old family farm in West Virginia where he will rest in peace, knowing he was loved and honored.

Theodore "Ted" Woodrow Kokochak Jr.

January 25, 1945 - May 10, 2025