Ted Pemberton

Ted M. Pemberton, 83, of Abilene passed away at his home on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Ted was born October 12, 1933, in Seymour, Texas and was preceded in death by his parents Leona Carter and Arthur Pemberton and one sister-in-law, Peggy Pemberton.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Ted is survived by his wife, Cecil Faye, and five children, Robert Pemberton of Brock, Texas; Raymond Pemberton and daughter-in-law, Teal of Norman, Oklahoma; Rebecca Pemberton of Cedar Park, Texas; Renee Guerra of Abilene, Texas; and Billy Biddy of Marble Falls, Texas; four grandsons, Brian Pemberton and wife Brandee of Plantation, Florida; Sam Pemberton of Northridge, California; Daniel and David Guerra of Abilene, Texas; a brother, Cotton Pemberton, and many nieces and nephews.

Ted spent his life working on behalf of others. Not long after graduating from Seymour High School, Ted was conscientious objector and served with the U.S. Army in Germany as an occupational therapist. It proved to be just the beginning of his service to his nation, to his friends and neighbors, to his family, and to his Savior. Ted’s life was forever marked by a profound sense of fidelity and faithfulness to all of God’s children—especially those who were abandoned, suffering, and living without hope or a future. Ted’s life journey led him down a long and dusty road, one where he followed in the footsteps of Jesus.

Ted attended Abilene Christian College and majored in Industrial Technology and soon opened Custom Upholstery in Abilene and built a career in that industry. Along the way, Ted owed two more businesses—Action Worms (he invented one of the first double action fishing lures) and Sports Sled, Inc. where he made one of the first inner tube covers to pull behind a boat. A number of years later, he taught Industrial Education courses at Abilene Christian University. Ted used his talents and his skills to serve others from his church, South 11th & Willis Church of Christ. As a member and deacon, he worked diligently in the Missions, Maintenance, and Benevolent Ministries. Ted and Cecil Faye were foster parents for Christian Homes of Abilene, where Ted spent one year as Chairman of the Board.

But it was in the far western bush country of Kenya, East Africa where, in recent years, Ted made a difference for deaf orphans. Together with Cecil Faye, he traveled to Kenya to work and help build Sam’s Place, an orphanage and a technology-based school for deaf children orphaned by the AIDs virus. Everywhere you walk at Sam’s Place today, you see Ted’s handiwork all across the red soil of that small part of Kenya. He has left a legacy for those children, one that is pointing the way for them and their future.

Ted was an avid hunter who loved being outdoors, enjoying God’s creation. He was a BBQ specialist and developed his own “Ted’s Red” rub that he shared with friends and family in fellowship across the years.

Ted is no longer suffering now. Our prayers are lifted up as we know that there is one more angel in heaven now, and that Ted’s journey continues on in that special place.

The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Sam’s Place, c/o S.11th & Willis Church of Christ, 3309 South 11th Street, Abilene, TX 79605. (325) 698-3255.

The family will welcome friends, from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut, Abilene, Texas 79602. (325) 677-3783. Funeral service will be at 12 noon, Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at South 11th & Willis Church of Christ, with a graveside interment to follow at 2 p.m. at the Texas State Veterans' Cemetery at Abilene.