Ted Sowder

Sr.Theodore William "Ted" Sowder Sr., 80, of Ocala, Fla., died Thursday, April 11, 2013.Ted was born on Oct. 13, 1932 in Apison, Tenn., and lived in Chattanooga (Hamilton County). He was the son of Isaac Elmer Sowder, of Roan, Tenn., and Vera Beatrice Bennett Sowder, of Jasper, Tenn.Ted moved his family to Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in 1962 and then settled in Ocala in 1964.Ted is survived by Sue Sowder, his wife of 27 years; four sons, Mike Sowder, of Ocklawaha (wife Rae Nell), Bill Sowder, of Ocala (wife Marguerite), Wayne Sowder, of Mt. Carmel, Ill. (wife Betty), and Dean Wehrle, of Huntingtown, MD., (wife Cathy); seven grandchildren,Wyatt, Samantha, Megan, Nicole, Alyssa, Jessie and Leah; his brother, Allen Sowder, of Jacksonville, Fla.; best friend and brother-in-law Ernie Pendleton; numerous sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.Ted was predeceased by his wife, Gladys Sowder; and brothers, Sonny Sowder of Tennessee and Robert Sowder, of Jacksonville, Fla.While growing up in Chattanooga, Ted worked in the family garage. One of his many stories included their work building moonshine vehicles used to run from the local constables and also working on the constable vehicles to catch the moonshiners. Ted retired from Ring Power Corporation after 33 years. He served in the US Air Force (1950-1954; Staff Sgt.) and was a member in the Sons of the Confederate Veterans Camp 741 Florida Division. He was an accomplished mechanic, an avid bass fisherman, and he loved NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Sr., in particular. He spent the bulk of his retirement years doing reel repairs for other area fisherman and local bait and tackle shops. He never met an engine, boat motor, lawn mower, or fishing reel that he didn't want to tear down and put back together the "right way". He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.Graveside services for Ted will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at Highland Memorial Park, in Ocala.