Theodore Card
Theodore (Teddy) Card, 81, passed away August 27, 2019 at Central Todd County Care Center, Clarissa.
A celebration of Teddy’s life will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cards Auto Wrecking, 27593 Todd Line Rd. (Warner Road) Staples.
A private interment will be held at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples at a later date.
Teddy was born March 4, 1938 to Lucille (Dickenson) and Peter L. Card, Sr. in Staples. At the age of seven, Teddy’s biological mother passed away. Teddy and his siblings went to live with their father and step-mother, Ruby. Teddy went to Catholic grade school and Staples High School.
Teddy was the third child in the Peter Card, Sr. family which put him smack dab in the middle of dad’s projects. Ted played key roles in building one of the largest buildings in Staples. The building began as Cards Auto Wrecking and sold to the Staples School District in 1962, known today as the Freshwater Building. The building also housed all the school buses for the Staples School District. Teddy spent many long hours waiting for the buses to get back from late routes; they were cleaned out, refueled for the next day and drove inside the building for the evening.
In 1962, Cards Auto Wrecking was moved to Warner Road. For the next 57 years Ted was part of the family team that made Cards Auto Wrecking one of the largest auto salvage yards in the five states. Everyone knew Teddy, and Teddy knew that everyone who walked in the door needed help and was asked, “What’s your troubles?”
He could help you with your car, fix your tires and remind you that you never brought back his 9/16 socket. Teddy’s favorite was when a customer needed that special, hard-to-find part that nobody else had and he knew he had it. With a big smile he would reply, “Yep, I got it and I know where it’s at, too.”
Ted was the keeper of the keys to all the doors, gates and at one time, over 4,000 cars. He was, in his own way, a teacher to all. If it was learning to tie your shoe, riding a bike, changing your first tire or going into the yard with Alan when it was -20 below, he was by our side every step of the way always willing to lend a hand no matter what the task. Ted showed kindness when we all needed it and was ready to laugh with everyone. The most important gift we learned from Ted was patience.
In later years when you called the junkyard, Teddy answered the telephone with a very loud “CARDS.” You always found him “holding down the chair” or putting too much wood in the famous wood stove and topping off lunch with “a little shut eye.” Teddy had a great sense of humor, loved a good joke and had a heart of gold. Long time friends were always greeted with a hearty “Mr.” followed by their last name. He loved talking old times and loveed the Lord.
In 2015, Teddy decided to retire. He enjoyed bingo, music, art and reconnecting with old friends. In recent months one of Teddy’s requests was to go back to the yard and help Alan.
Teddy is survived by two brothers, Peter L. Card, Jr. of Staples and Alan (Linda) Card of Motley; three sisters, RoseAnn Bonin, Dallas, TX, Maxine Fouks, Germany and Marlene (Bob) Reeck of Staples; numerous nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Card (1945); father, Peter L. Card, Sr. (1995) and step-mother, Ruby Card (2013).
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to become aware and join: Autism Speaks: SPARK (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge) www.SPARKforAutism.org.
Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Homes, Staples.
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