Theodore Gaydos

Col. Theodore “Ted” Gaydos (age 90) of Orlando, died on July 28, 2016, at home. Born in 1926 in Youngstown, Ohio, as the third child of the late Very Rev. John J. Gaydos and Helen Sochko, Gaydos served in the Army from 1952 until his retirement in 1985. Graduating from Berwick High School in Pennsylvania in 1944, he answered the call to duty and enlisted in the Navy at 16 and served until June 1946. During WWII, Gaydos saw combat on the beaches of Normandy and later served in the Army in both Vietnam and Korea. As part of his illustrious military career, Gaydos served as adviser in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1979-1981 and served as adviser to two presidents of the National Defense University from 1981-1985. He is a 1979 graduate of the prestigious U.S. Army War College in Carlisle and among several other military decorations and awards, he is the recipient of the bronze star and Distinguished Superior Service Medal (DSSM).
Gaydos earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business Administration, where he graduated with the distinction of Distinguished Military Graduate in 1955. Prior to going on active duty in the Army in 1967, he worked in the insurance business and had his own agency for 12 years in Ambridge, Pa., where he also served as executive director of the Greater Ambridge Chamber of Commerce.
In his retirement, Gaydos enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren in Orlando and traveling throughout the world on cruises with his many family and friends. Some of his and his wife’s favorite places to visit included the Caribbean, Europe and China.
He is predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Helen Butchko Gaydos, R.N., who lovingly supported him in all of his endeavors. He leaves his daughter Tamara Gaydos of Middleton, Mass., and three beloved grandchildren, Alexandra Geiger, Adam Hayden Geiger and Gabrielle Gaydos Geiger, as well as several nieces and a nephew. Interment was at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on Dec. 1, 2016.