Theodore “Ted” Christian Hofsiss

Theodore “Ted” Christian Hofsiss, 88, of Decatur, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020. Graveside service: 12:00 PM, Tuesday, June 9, 2020, Nubbin Ridge Cemetery. Viewing: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Tuesday June 9, 2020, Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury. Memorials may be made to Forestburg Church of Christ or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Ted was born on October 17, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York, to Harry and Winifred Hofsiss. He married the love of his life, Laura Ellen White Hofsiss on April 20, 1950 in Weatherford, Texas. They were married for 70 years and were separated for only two weeks as Laura departed this life on May 21, 2020.
He was a devout Christian and longtime member of the Church of Christ, serving as a deacon and an elder. He often led congregational singing and taught bible classes, most recently at Forestburg Church of Christ.
Ted proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army; serving in Colorado, Korea and France. He was severely wounded in Korea, being awarded the Purple Heart.
After his military service he enrolled at Texas Christian University and received a Masters Degree in Education Administration. He taught 5th and 6th grades at Greenbrier Elementary School in Fort Worth; until he developed and helped to build the Outdoor Learning Center for the FWISD to teach “city” kids to love and protect nature and our environment.
Ted struggled with PTSD and wrote a memoir of his time in Korea, self-publishing his own book, “Waiting for the Blessed Light of Dawn.” It is a raw, detailed, moving, true account of a young man’s experience of traumatic events that many soldiers face in combat.
Ted was one of seven siblings and was father to five children. He was loved, admired and inspiring to all he met and to those who had the privilege of getting to know his sweet spirit and kind nature. Ted was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years: Laura Ellen; parents: Harry and Winifred Hofsiss; sisters: Winnie, Tillie, Betty, Emma and Florence; brother: Henry and daughter-in-law: Melanie Hofsiss.
Ted is survived by his children: Duane Hofsiss, Mary Lou Tillman and husband Neal, Bill Hofsiss, Ruth Ann Warwick and husband Jim, and James Hofsiss and wife Kimberly; grandchildren: Chris and wife Tracey, Cyrus, Will and wife Christa, Leslie and husband Clay, Doug and wife Kristy, Jace, Emily, Andrew, Devon, Taylor, Tara and Regan; five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.