Theodore R. "Ted" Smith, Jr., age 96, went to be with his Lord on December 4, 2023 in Slidell, Louisiana.  Ted was born December 13, 1926 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania to Theodore R. Smith, Sr. and Helen Boyd Smith.

Ted grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating from West View High School in 1944.  After graduation, he worked for the Pittsburgh Railway Company for 15 years.  Ted was a deacon in the Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania.  He was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity while living in Pennsylvania.

Due to contracting polio as a toddler he was not accepted in the army when he tried to enlist (at the age of 16!).  That experience seemed to set a determination in him for many of his pursuits including the defense contract positions with GE and the physical activities such as sports and dancing. His high school yearbook, for example, read "when it comes to dancing, he's not just another Smith."  And he danced throughout his life until he couldn't.

While at the Pittsburgh Railways Co. Ted pursued evening classes in technical writing and engineering and eventually secured a job with the General Electric (GE) Company in Syracuse, New York.  While in Syracuse he continued evening classes at Syracuse University.  An assignment in Shemya, Alaska working on a defense project with GE presented itself in the early 1960s and he spent 18 months on Shemya then returned to Syracuse. Ted worked his way south with GE accepting assignments in Eufala, Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama, and finally at the then-named Mississippi Test Facility.

Ted decided to settle in Slidell, Louisiana where his sister and brother-in-law had moved and there he met his soon-to-be wife of 51 years, Launa Wolcott Faciane.  They married in 1968 blending their families.

Ted retired from GE and pursued his real estate license with Don Smart Realty.  He soon became a broker and opened his own ERA office on OST in Slidell.

Music was one of his true loves.  In his late teens and early twenties Ted played percussion in a trio in small venues throughout Pittsburgh.  His "sense of beat" never abandoned him and came through his fingernails on anything that made a sound---including his daughter's table top---leaving a "Ted the drummer was here" signature. He also co-owned a record store in Pittsburgh.  Ted loved being able to tell Alexa to play his favorites anytime and at all hours.  He especially enjoyed it when his Summerhouse Park Provence buddies joined him in his appreciation of the music when they were in his room.

Ted also loved sports especially football, baseball, and girls softball (which gave family members a reason to give him grief!).  He also wasn't quiet about the disappointment he felt when his teams (Saints and Steelers) lost.  In Pittsburgh he was an avid tennis player and played in several leagues.  In Syracuse he played in a semi-pro league.  He began playing golf in his 40s in primarily at Millbrook Country Club in Mississippi and played into his early 90s.  On several occasions he actually shot his age!

Most of all, Ted loved laughing with others and his presence was usually felt. He loved "tweaking" others as he put it and you had to take it well.  He loved "other people's dogs."  Ted always had a ready smile and quip; he wanted others to enjoy life as much as he did.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Helen Smith; second wife, Launa Wolcott Smith; stepson, L. Keith Faciane; sister, Betty Jean Dukes; Brother-in-law, Clifford Dukes; Nephew, Allen Dukes; niece, Cheryl Dukes Bontje;   and great grandchild Elizabeth Grace Dunford.

Ted is survived by two daughters, Anita Smith Horton (Charles); Michele Faciane Steinforth (Bob); grandchildren, Matthew Horton (Megan), Michael Horton (Marissa), Ryan Steinforth, Michelle Dunford (DJ), Amy Doss (Jason), Marchelle Falkner, Sean Faciane, and Lacey Faciane; and great-grandchildren, Theo Horton, Gabriel and Madeleine Horton, Charlie, Andrew, Michael, and Madeline Dunford, and Jack, Elsie, and Penny Doss; and niece Lynn Dukes Heffley (Bill).

The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Summerhouse Park Provence for their loving and compassionate care over the past three years.  Also, the family expresses thanks to the Foundations Hospice staff who assisted him over the past year in making him more comfortable.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Honaker Funeral Home 1751 Gause Blvd. West, Slidell LA 70460.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm.

Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Slidell.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude's, Volunteers of America, Wounded Warriors, or a charity of your choice is appreciated.