Ted Jacobs

Ted Jacobs, 93 of Lorain, Ohio died Sunday evening, May 31, 2015 at Main Street Care Center, Avon Lake, Ohio. He was born on October 18, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1925, at the age of four, Ted moved to Lorain where he attended Lorain City Schools through the tenth grade. He graduated salutatorian of his 1939 class of Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. In 1943, Ted received his Bachelor of Finance Degree from The Ohio State University. He later served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army in the European Sector during World War II. In 1950, Ted started Ted Jacobs, Inc., a women's specialty store in downtown Lorain. Eventually his business expanded to branches at Midway Mall in 1966 and Great Northern Mall in 1976 with 125 associates. He sold out in 1991. His success was built on the philosophy, "The customer is always right." Ever since the stores were sold, it was frequent that former customers would tell Ted how much they missed his stores. His trusted associates loved and respected him so much that they continued to gather for a December reunion every year. During his business tenure, Ted chaired the Lorain Downtown Merchants Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Lorain Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Merchants Association, Smaller Stores Division and the organization for children with developmental disorders. Ted was instrumental in originating a program to salute Lorain's industries, created Lorain's Park and Shop Program, initiated Project Action, a pilot sales training program to help minorities secure jobs in retailing and was on the original committee to develop the Lorain Palace Civic Center. As a result of his dynamic business and civic involvement, Ted earned the Lorain Jaycees Outstanding Community Service Award, the Junior Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award and the "Boss of the Year" Award from the American Business Women's Association of Lorain County. He was also the recipient of the Elks Lake Erie Lodge 362 and Peerless Temple 235 Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Efforts in Promoting Better Understanding among People of All Races and the Second Baptist Church Award for Contributions in the Advancement of Civil Rights Movement in Lorain County. Ted's commitment to the community continued throughout his retirement. He was a member of both the Lorain Schools' Business Advisory Committee and Citizens for Lorain City Schools. For five years, Ted chaired the Lorain Believes in Kids, a volunteer group that worked to help students in Lorain Schools. Additionally, he served on the Lorain Schools Superintendent Selection Committee and was the co-fundraising chairman for the $41 million Lorain Schools bond levy which was expected to generate $216 million in new and renovated school buildings. Ted also served on the YMCA Executive Director Search Committee. His accolades continued for his challenging work. In 2011, the Lorain County Community Action Agency presented Ted with its Corporate Leadership Award. The Ohio State University Alumni Association honored him with its 2007 Alumni Citizenship Award, which was given to only three people in the United States. Ted received the 2005 Leadership Lorain County Excellence in Business Award, the 2000 Lorain Negro Business and Professional Women's Club Community Service Award, the 1998 Lorain County Gallery of Honor Award and the 1993 National School Public Relations Association's Ohio Friend of Education Award. In 1994, Ted and his wife Ruth created the Ruth and Ted Jacobs Fund at the Community Foundation of Lorain County to support local programs to help others. Ted was a member of Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue for almost ninety years, making his contribution there also. He served on the Board of Trustees, co-chaired the Building Fund Campaign for the current facility and chaired the Lorain Jewish Welfare Fund for thirty years. In December of 2013, Ted published his book, It's Up to You! Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life. This was the culmination of the final chapter of his endless mission of reaching out to help others. Next to his family, Ted's favorite love was the game of golf. He was a charter member of the former Oak Hills Country Club, a general partner of Lorain Country Club and an avid member of Fox Creek Country Club until he no longer could play. Frequently he was seen giving tips to other golfers to help improve their games. Ted was a fervent Ohio State fan. He had season football tickets; he faithfully attended the games for years. His red car and GOBKEYE license plate were further testimony to his passion. Even his walker and his wheelchair were decorated with an Ohio State theme. One of the last great thrills he had was when the Buckeyes won this year's national championship. Ted was married for sixty years to his lifelong love and partner, Ruth (nee: Knofsky), who passed away in 2003. He was blessed with daughters, Gail (Steve) Smith of Lorain and Jill (Mike) Sussman of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, grandchildren, Matt (Juan Rubio) Smith of Austin, Texas, Amy (Ryan Buckholtz) Smith of Studio City, California, Lachelle (Andy) Arnt of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Evelyn Sussman of Fredericksburg, Virginia and great granddaughters, Rachel and Ruby Arnt. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Lea (nee: Speiss) Jacobs and his sister, Harriet Stensel Levin. The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Lorain Jewish Welfare Fund, PO Box 305, Lorain, Ohio 44052 or to the Ruth and Ted Jacobs Fund at the Community Foundation of Lorain County, 9080 Leavitt Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035. Privates services were at the Walter A. Frey Funeral Home. Burial was in Salem Cemetery with full military honors by the Louis Paul Proy Chapter, No. 20, Lorain and The Amherst Honor Guard. A celebration of Ted's life will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at DeLuca's Place in the Park at 2 PM. Please RSVP at celebration.tedjacobs.org. Online condolences may be sent to www.freyfuneralhome.com.

Service:

Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 2 PM; Please RSVP at celebration.tedjacobs.org

Celebration of Ted's Life at DeLuca's Place in the Park; 6075 Middle Ridge Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053

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