Theodore Louis DeYoung, son of Louis DeYoung and Esther LaVerne DeYoung of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away at the age of eighty-seven on April 15, 2018 in Carmichael, California after a long illness. He will be laid to rest at with a traditional service at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens on Friday, May 18, 2018. He is survived by his sister Patricia, his daughter Jennifer and his grandson Jenson.

From a humble one-room school beginning, Theodore (Ted) went on to study engineering at Michigan State University and followed up with a master's degree from the University of Texas in Austin. Most of his working career was focused on engineering in the fields of jet and rocket engines. He met his future wife, Esther May McGlothlin, the daughter of Chester and Vera McGlothlin who were also of Traverse City, playing music in church. After they married, while he studied engineering, she also completed an undergraduate and master's degree in music and was a lifelong working musician. Together they moved around the country following work, living in California, Massachusetts and Idaho before returning to California for their retirement.

While living in Idaho, they discovered a mutual love of flying, and both pursued private pilot licenses. They continued to enjoy travel around the country, this time by air, returning to Traverse City many times to visit and stay at the DeYoung family farm.

After Esther passed away in 2002, Ted turned his attention to the situation of his family's farm, which was becoming run down in the declining years of his father, Louis DeYoung. After Louis passed away, Ted worked very hard to ensure that the property was preserved with the Leelanau Conservancy and sold the property to them in 2006. This will be his enduring legacy: that this historic property, the DeYoung Natural Area, will remain preserved and enjoyed by the residents of all people in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. All memorials should be directed to supporting the Leelanau Conservancy's important work. Thank you.

Those wishing an expression of sympathy are encouraged to direct contributions in Ted's name to the Leelanau Conservancy, 105 First Street, Leland, MI 49654.