Wilbur George Tedford

Wilbur George Tedford of Chester, MD died Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. He was 88. Wilbur was born on June 24, 1929 in New York to the late Dorothy (Anderson) Jacobson and James E. Tedford. He was raised by his mother and step-father, Edgar Jones, in Chester, MD. Growing up in Dominion, he attended Dominion Methodist Sunday School as a boy, and attended primary school through the eighth grade. Wilbur began working on the water and on the ferry as a teenager and a young man. He was very handy and highly enjoyed making and repairing his own equipment. Wilbur enlisted and honorably served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955 as an Airman First Class. During that time, he was stationed in Texas, North Carolina —where he met Elsie Mae Stephens and married her in 1953—, and Maine. Wilbur then completed a tour in Italy, fortunately able to take his wife and first child, Teresa, with him. After completing his service in the military, Wilbur moved his family to Baltimore, MD where he worked for Standard Oil Company for one year before returning to Kent Island to follow his passion—working the water. Wilbur hand tonged and took a diver for oysters, clammed, and crabbed over the course of his career on the Chesapeake Bay. For the majority of his career he owned and captained “Miss Inez.” He passed on his love for the water to his son, David. He also greatly enjoyed working with electronics and went to TV repair school. He traveled to local people’s homes to fix their televisions as an enjoyable way to supplement his income. Later in life, Wilbur tended his mother’s strawberry patch, took his grandchildren out crabbing, took care of his pet parakeet, and enjoyed being home. He was a talented and hardworking man who was devoted to his task of providing for his family. Wilbur is survived by his daughter, Teresa Ellen Rainey (Frank) of Stevensville, MD; son, David Allen Tedford (Jo-Anne) of Chester, MD; eight grandchildren, Sarah Whitby, Jessica Rainey, Kimberly Hackett, Aaron Rainey, Joshua Rainey, Amy Waskey, Adam Tedford, and Abby Dallaire; and eight great grandchildren; a brother, Stanley Jones (Frances) of Chester, MD. In addition to his parents, Wilbur is preceded in death by his loving wife, Elsie Mae Tedford and sister, Helen Boyd. A visitation will be held on Monday February 12, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Fellows, Helfenbien & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Chester, MD. A service will be on Tuesday February 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Stevensville, MD. Burial will be in Stevensville Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com.

Wilbur George Tedford

June 24, 1929 - February 7, 2018