Teddy Klekas

Teddy Klekas

1955 ~ 2020

On December 31, 1998, Teddy Klekas was told his EMG and Nerve Conduction studies confirmed he had ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease. He was given 2 to 5 years to live. Apparently, God had something else in mind. Teddy agreed with the plan and went on to live for 22 years. His condition remained, for the most part, unchanged from 2001 to 2020.

He was declared a medical miracle by his neurologist, who told our family, "Whatever you all are doing for Ted, keep doing it." Mom responded, "We pray for, and we love my son." The doctor said, "Wonderful, it's doing more for him than anything we can offer."

Family and friends quickly experienced the love and thankfulness received from Ted was equally, if not more valuable – his expressed love for family and friends touched and transformed many. No one, caregiver or visitor, left without hearing, "Thank you very much; you're awesome, I love you."

The love Teddy expressed came from a heart filled to overflowing with the love of our Father in heaven, who Teddy affectionately referred to as "DAD." He came to experience God the Father through Jesus and a relationship with the Holy Spirit that had a profound effect on everyone who came into contact with him.

Ted had a love for cars, family, rich conversations, but more than anything, he loved God, with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. Dad (Billy) and Mom (Betty) committed their lives to caring for and loving their son, their unconditional love was the catalyst to Ted experiencing who God is as his, "Dad.”

He had a unique sense of humor, some of the observations he shared from his prayer times with God were:

“Have you ever looked closely at a dogs lips? Aren’t they so cool, God made them.”
“God was talking to me about elephants’ toenails. Have you ever looked at an elephants toenails? Wow.”
“Do you know how much torque a nitromethane fueled funny car has? A lot.” (Teds observation;)

He kept all of us laughing and taught us how to be thankful. He embraced goodness and love and truly became what he focused on. In doing so the flow of his giving was perpetual.

Micah Miller, Ted's friend, and caregiver for six years said, "I never heard Teddy complain about being quadriplegic and confined to his bed. Instead, with a big smile, he always thanked the people who helped him. He was truly thankful to God for the littlest of things."

< Teddy’s 55th Birthday >

On July 18, 2020, for his 55th birthday, Ted enjoyed steak and lobster, ice cream cake, and celebratory time with family and friends. Two weeks later on, August 1, he joined his dad, and many family members and friends. What is uplifting for us is, we know Teddy was received with indescribable love.

Words cannot express how thankful we are and how much we will miss Teddy, our son, brother, and friend. We do not know God's ways, but we do know that Teddy, taught all of us how to love and serve. He graduated with honors from this life to the eternal and left behind a legacy of love, he added to the rich heritage established by our dad, Billy Klekas (deceased), and our amazing, incredible, beautiful, Mom, Betty Klekas, who Ted called, "Mama."

We know Teddy is now with Jesus, the One who lives to always make intercession for us, and with Him, he is praying, "DAD, let all mankind receive the experiential love you have given them, and everything that Your love is. Jesus, help them receive in greater measure, what You gave me – in your name Jesus, amen."

Teddy is survived by Betty Klekas, his wonderful Mama; Bill and Jennifer Klekas (brother and sister in-law); Tom and Mary, Payden, Ethan, and Grace Driffill (Sister, Brother in-law, nephews, and niece). Our family would like to give special thanks to Robert Clark, Carlos Robles, Micah Miller, Heather Jolley, and the incredible home health IHC team.

In lieu of flowers, the family is receiving donations to help with expenses, and costs to help with transitioning Mom to receiving care.

Donations can be made:

- Directly to the family by giving to Mary Klekas Driffill

- Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/teddy-klekas-als?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Contact family for service details.

We thank you for your love and support – The Klekas Family