Theodore Sanders "Ted" Spangenberg passed away on May 12, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Marion Hawthorne Spangenberg. Ted was born on September 22, 1924, in Miami, Florida, to Carl Henry and Lily May Pettyjohn Spangenberg.

After graduation from Edison High School in Miami, Ted enlisted in the Army and served in various units during World War II, including the Army's 71st Division under General Patton. He was a part of the liberation forces for several concentration camps, including Dachua, and the Allied Occupational Forces in Germany and France. Ted received various unit citations, a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the French Legion Medal of Honor in service to his country. He was delighted to be a part of an Emerald Coast Honor flight to Washington D.C. and the World War II Memorial in 2010.

Graduating from the University of Florida, he worked as a civil engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation in Perry, Jacksonville, Lake City and Panama City before moving to Chipley in 1962, eventually becoming the District Maintenance Engineer. After his retirement in 1986, Ted and Marion were involved with disaster relief as part of FEMA, Florida Baptist, and the Red Cross. He also was directly involved with construction projects, working with the Florida Baptist Convention, and in later years, Habitat for Humanity, including serving as treasurer.

Ted was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for 77 years and was known to many as 'Mr. Ted' and 'Ted the Great'. Always a seemingly tireless volunteer, Mr. Ted served as Scoutmaster of Troop 39 (Chipley), was active in the Order of the Arrow, was instrumental in the development of Camp Jambo, and worked on the Spanish Trail Scout Reservation Cub Family Camp staff and Summer Camp staff for 28 years until his death. He was proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout and also received numerous other distinctions, including the Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, and Good Shepherd awards.

Ted and Marion joined First Baptist Church of Chipley, Florida, in 1962. He was very active in numerous capacities, including singing in the choir, serving as a deacon, and teaching Sunday School. In later years, Ted also served as the church Treasurer. He was a member of the Gideons and very involved in the growth and development of the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

He is survived by his 5 children: Sandra Durr (Jimmie) of Pensacola, Florida; Theodore "Ted" Spangenberg Jr. (Barbara) of Lynn Haven, Florida; Caryl Fasbinder (Stephen) of Panama City, Florida; Diane Corbin (Michael) of Woodstock, Georgia; and Erin Hernandez (Jon) of Pensacola, Florida. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition, Ted is survived by his younger brother, Robert Boyd Spangenberg of Gainesville, Florida.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 16, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Chipley. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 1:00 PM at the church with an opportunity for fellowship with the family after the service. Brown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

No flowers are requested, but donations in Mr. Spangenberg's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Chipley Building Fund, the West Florida Baptist Association, P.O. Box 651, Chipley, FL 32428, ATTN: "Love in Action", or the Gulf Coast Council, Boy Scouts of America, 9440 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL, 32514. Family and friends may sign the online register at www.brownfh.net