Teddy Joe Suffridge

Teddy “Ted” Joe Suffridge, 92, loving husband of Gladys Maxine Campbell Suffridge, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Baptist Health Lexington. Ted was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky, on November 12, 1932, to the late Greene Howard Suffridge and Martha McElroy Ely Suffridge. At the age of 10 his family moved to Kansas City where he learned to be independent and resourceful starting work at a young age delivering newspapers, working at a drug store and then installing gutters for a sheet metal company while attending school. Starting in his junior year of high school through his Freshman year of college, he attended Miltonvale Wesleyan Academy and College where he met his future wife, Gladys. They were married August 20, 1052. He completed his bachelor degree at Marion College (now Indiana Wesley University) in 1955 and then completed his master’s degree at Wichita State University in 1957. He received his Ph.D. at Kansas University in 1965. He taught Math and Science at Miltonvale Wesleyan Academy and College from 1957-1962 and 1965-1967 and then moved to Lexington, Kentucky where he taught and did research at the University of Kentucky for 43 years in the Mathematics Department. He was the advisor to 12 Doctoral students, published numerous research articles in mathematical journals, and presented results of his research work at many conferences around the world.

Ted was a man of quiet strength and humility, who lived out his faith daily. He loved his family and enjoyed times with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will be missed by them all.

His siblings were the late Billie Suffridge Glinn (Paul) and Charles Suffridge (Kathy). He is survived by his wife, four children (3 daughters Diane Suffridge, Sandra Fallon (Patrick), and Karen Miller, and son Richard Suffridge (Michele)), 9 grandchildren (Christina Greenberg (Brian), Teresa Bilinski (Greg), Lauren Curry (Matt), James Miller, Jacob Suffridge (Brooke), Shelby Suffridge, Sarah Meyer (Jason), Campbell Suffridge, and Carter Suffridge), and 5 great grandchildren (Jonah Greenberg, Daniella Greenberg, Lander Bilinski, Olivia Meyer, and Nathan Curry). He will also be remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and former students.

A private burial service will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Wilmore Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, in the Wesley Village Community Center in Wilmore. Betts & West Funeral Home is honored to serve Ted and his family in their time of need. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.

One charity that was meaningful to him is Refugee Hope Partners. Their website is https://www.refugeehopepartners.org.