Ted Getterman

Ted Getterman October 1, 1924 July 1, 2014 Louis Theodore Getterman, Jr. passed away peacefully after a long illness on July 1, 2014, at his home. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 7, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, with Dr. Robert Sloan officiating. Lunch and reception with the family will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. A private family graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. Ted was born October 1, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Louis T. and Irene Getterman. He attended grade school in Baltimore and junior high and high school at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. Shortly after graduation, he volunteered, at the age of eighteen, for the Army during World War II. He served three and one-half years, most of that time in the Signal Corps in the Philippines. He was on the beach with troops preparing to invade Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped, ending the war. When he returned from the war, on the advice of a Baptist youth evangelist and family friend, he came to Waco to attend Baylor University. While attending a pre-law party at Baylor, he met Sue Holt. They were married at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in 1948. Ted graduated from Baylor with a BBA in 1949, a JD in 1951 and passed the Bar in 1951. He was a member of Alpha Chi honorary scholastic organization. After graduation, he joined his father-in-law in the Seven-Up Bottling Company as a partner. They owned franchises in twenty-nine counties, including bottling plants in the Waco, Bryan and Austin areas. The company was sold in 1981. While in business, Ted served as Chairman of the local chapter of the Texas Manufacturers' Association, President of the State Bottlers' Association, Secretary/Treasurer of the Seven-Up Developers of Texas and Secretary of the Waco Bottlers' Association. Ted leaves a legacy of dedicated service to Waco and Texas through his volunteer efforts and support, having served on boards of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, the Waco Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Waco, the Salvation Army, Family Counseling and Children's Services, Baylor Stadium Corporation, the Bear Club, Baylor Development Council, Ridgewood Country Club and McDonald Observatory. In 2000, he was honored by the Central Texas Chapter of Fund Raising Executives as Philanthropist of the Year. He had a deep love for Waco, and served on the Waco City Council from 1973 to 1979. He was Mayor for two terms. While serving on the Council, Ted was President of the 12th District of Texas Municipal League and was on the Heart of Texas Council of Governments. He was an active member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as President of the Frank Wilson Men's Class. He also served on many church committees. Ted was a 32nd degree Mason, Lodge 92, a member of Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and a member of Karem Shrine. In 2011, he received the Thirty-Third Degree Inspector General Honorary. In 2012, he received the Stephen F. Austin Award. Ted was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Baylor Hankamer School of Business. He also received the Baylor Athletic Director's Hall of Honor Achievement Award, the Victory with Integrity Award, the Baylor Founder's Medal and an honorary member of the Baylor "B" Association. Ted was a Fellow in the Golden Bear Circle. Baylor was very special to him, and he enjoyed following all Baylor sports, especially the softball team. The softball field is named Getterman Stadium, in their honor. Other interests included traveling, golfing, and working out at Getterman Wellness Center. He loved his rescue dog "Noodle" and mostly, special times spent with family. He enjoyed going to Pebble Beach with close friends, and for twenty-five years, Mondays were spent with the "Cocoons", who played card games at his home. Ted will be especially remembered for his devotion to his Lord, his great love of family and country, and his passion for philanthropy and community. He embodied goodness and a peaceful nature. He was a comforting, wise and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His unique gift was expressing love, dignity and grace to those who passed his way. He always gave more than he received. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis Theodore and Irene Getterman. Ted is survived by his college sweetheart and loving wife of sixty-six years, Sue; his children, son Louis T. Getterman, III and wife, Mikki, son, Holt E. Getterman and wife, Debbie; his grandchildren, Edward Getterman and wife, Jennifer, Smith Getterman and wife, Kristin, Thad Getterman and wife, Midori, Ty Getterman and wife, Elizabeth and Rosalee Getterman; his great grandchildren, Baker, Henry, Olivia and Gretchen Getterman; and his daughter, by choice, Caryn Beard Rodriguez and husband, Jesse. The family extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Ronald Wilson and Dr. Rodney Brown, Hillcrest doctors, nurses and staff, and Bluebonnet caregivers Janelle, Amanda and Jaime. Special thanks to Joe Chavez, Minodora Tanase, Andrea Arnette, Flora Estes and Mona Duarte for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Ted and Sue Getterman Softball Scholarship, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #97026, Waco, Texas 76798-7026, Getterman Wellness Center, c/o Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, 100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd., Waco, Texas 76712; Fuzzy Friends Rescue, P.O. Box 20966, Waco, Texas 76702; or a local charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.