Theron "Ted" Smith

Theron (Ted) Homer Smith, Jr, 96, passed into glory early morning of December 12, 2024. The third of three sons, he was born on September 28, 1928 in Gowanda, New York to T. Homer and Edith Mackey Smith. Both Homer and Edith spent their lives in active ministry: she as a traveling song evangelist and he as a Methodist pastor in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Florida. The family moved often, as was the Methodist Church practice at that time, but was always faithful to attend Hollow Rock Holiness Campmeeting each summer, which Theron called his true home. Along with his brothers, Theron was an excellent student with exceptional athletic skill as well as a gifted member of several men’s quartets throughout his high school, college and graduate school years. He graduated from Lisbon High School in Lisbon, Ohio followed by Asbury (then College) University, Asbury Theological Seminary and Oberlin University Graduate School of Theology/Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He met Betty Jean Durham in 1950 and they married when she graduated from Asbury College in 1952. The couple began their married life in Wharton, Ohio where Theron had been appointed pastor to Wharton Methodist Church. During their following appointment to the Methodist Church in West Union, Ohio, Theron made a three-month quartet missionary trip to The Philippines, Taiwan, Okinawa and Japan and eventually joined Orient Crusades where he and Betty served as missionaries for 2 years, moving their young family to The Philippines. He traveled throughout southeast Asia playing basketball and preaching the Gospel and singing with the quartet of team players at half-time of those games. This missionary quartet was also invited to meet with Madame Chiang Kai-shek on three separate occasions and twice with General Chiang himself to share the message and sing for the prayer group of government leaders’ wives the General had created, as well as a Sunday morning worship service. Returning to Ohio, he and Betty served additional Methodist Church appointments to Linworth, Troy, Forest Park (Cincinnati), Walnut Creek, Livingston (Columbus), and Westerville. Theron also served 8 years on the faculty of Ashland Theological Seminary by special appointment from the UMC Bishop to create and implement the Methodist studies program there, including managing the extension programs at Cleveland State University and Wayne State University in Detroit. While at Livingston Church, he was approached by a US Congressman and a successful local businessman to lead a small group of professional men in a meaningful bi-weekly Bible study that continues to this day with profound impact. Theron retired from the United Methodist Church in 1997 and joined the staff at Cypress Wesleyan Church to lead the seniors’ ministry as well as Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer meetings. During this time, he was invited to join the board of International Leadership Group developing and implementing Christian studies classes at the University of Beijing, traveling to campus in China semi-annually for three years.

Theron is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty. Survived by daughter Jocelyn (George) Gibbs, and sons, Kevin (Kimbalyn) Smith and Matthew Todd (Patricia) Smith; his grandchildren Sarah Ashley (Les) Cheung, Jordan Rachel (Jerram) John, Abigail Elizabeth (Jordan) Poppe, Mollie Grace (Adam) Vigeant and Stella Gabrielle Smith; and his great-grandchildren Finley Therese Cheung, Theron Reid Poppe, Silas Paul Cheung, Sadie Jean Poppe, Lev Michael Vigeant and Magnalia Grace Vigeant; brothers Mark Lynn Smith and Myron Ray Smith.

A memorial service for Theron is scheduled for 11:00am on January 11, 2025 at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton Darby Creek Road, Galloway, OH. TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME of Hilliard Ohio is assisting with the arrangements. To sign the on-line register and leave a message for the family, please visit www.tiddfuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Asbury University / 1 Macklem Drive / Wilmore KY 40390 / www.asbury.edu noting the Myron R. Smith Scholarship Fund in the memo field, or to Hollow Rock Holiness Campmeeting c/o Rob Aukerman, Financial Secretary / 1958 County Road 51 / Toronto OH 43964 / www.hollowrock.org.