Theodore W. Lauer

(Asbury Park Press)

THEODORE W. LAUER
AGE: 79 BELFORD
Theodore W. Lauer, 79, of Belford, passed into eternal life on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at his home of nearly 50 years, surrounded by his loving family. "Ted" was born and raised in Leonardo. He was a well-known 1949 graduate of Middletown (Leonardo) High School. His stellar athletic career at Leonardo included lettering in four sports: football, basketball, baseball and track, earning twelve varsity letters. During his senior year, he was awarded All-State honors in football, basketball and baseball. He led Leonardo High School to the 1948 Shore Conference and C.J. Group II State Championships. His record of 19 touchdowns in a single season still stands today. Legendary coach Arnie Truax called him the greatest athlete ever to hail from Middletown Township. In 1990, he was inducted into the first Lion Hall of Fame and in 1998 his football jersey #58 was officially retired by the Lion Hall of Fame. He remained a tried and true Lion, always supporting the "orange and black" his entire life. Ted was a 1951 graduate of Potomac State College, where he also excelled in football, basketball and baseball, earning all conference honors. He was inducted into the Potomac State College Athletic Hall of Fame in April 2009. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. In 1955, he married his one true love, Josephine Pedota, settling in Belford in 1961. Ted was a successful, self- employed, licensed professional land surveyor for 30 years, retiring in 1998. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially tending to his vegetable garden and playing golf. He volunteered for many years with the Missionaries of Charity, delivering food to those less fortunate. Most of all, he relished spending time with his family, sharing good times, love and laughter. His quiet strength and steadfast determination will forever remain the cornerstone of his loyal family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Lauer; a brother, Frederick "Spike" Lauer, who made the supreme sacrifice in WWII; and two sisters, Gussie Scarpa and Betty Harrell. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Josephine Pedota Lauer; a son, Theodore W. Lauer Jr. and his wife Jan of Acworth, Ga.; a daughter, Irene Reppy and her husband Walter of Farmingdale; a daughter, Mary Jo Lauer of Belford; a daughter, Patty Lauer of Powder Springs, Ga; his beloved grandchildren, Christopher Reppy and his wife Jenn, Sharon Reppy, Michael Lauer and Jenny Lauer. He is also survived by his brother, Edward Lauer and his wife Ursula of Leonardo; his sisters, Caroline Letts of Leonardo, Millie Curley of Leesburg, Fla., and Marie Golden of Red Bank, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at St. Mary's Chapel, 26 Leonardville Road, New Monmouth. Interment will be at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Ted's honor be made to the Lion Hall of Fame, 8 Confield Court, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Condolences may be emailed to condolences@pflegerfuneralhome.com.