Theodore Peter O'Callaghan, Sr.

Theodore Peter "Ted" O'Callaghan, Sr., 89, embraced life with his warm sense of humor, keen intellect and ability to inspire others to action. His death on October 16, 2010 leaves a legacy of generous and dedicated leadership in the City of Decatur, the state of Georgia and beyond. Early in life Ted demonstrated his willingness to work hard to realize lofty goals. Born in Louisville, Kentucky on July 16, 1921, Ted moved to Atlanta when he was 13, graduating from Atlanta Boys High. Ted then set about building the American dream, working at Citizens and Southern Bank; attending Georgia State University, known then as the Atlanta division of the University of Georgia; and marrying the girl next door, his high school sweetheart, Sarah Martha Polk. Volunteering for the Army Air Force in 1942, Ted began a lifelong record of distinguished service to others. As a B-17 pilot for the 101st Bomber Group of the 15th Air Force, he flew numerous successful combat missions, including his last scheduled flight over Yugoslavia when his plane was shot down. With the help of Marshall Tito's friendly "partisans," Ted led his 10 man crew to safety. Leaving the Army in 1945 as a 1st Lieutenant, Ted joined Southern Bell, where he worked as a customer service representative. Again attending night school at Georgia State and becoming a member of Delta Sigma Phi, Ted graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in industrial relations. Ted then returned in 1968 to earn a Masters in management, the same year his son Theodore Peter O'Callaghan, Jr. graduated from college. Ted filled a variety of roles at Southern Bell for 38 years, retiring in 1983 as District Manager. Outside of the workplace Ted was a tireless advocate for others. Sitting on the Decatur City Commission from 1977 to 1987, Ted served as both Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, and later represented the City as a registered lobbyist for the Georgia General Assembly. Ted also served on the Georgia Municipal Association's Board of Directors and was President of the GMA' s Fourth District. In addition, Ted served as Treasurer and Board Member of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Executive Club of Decatur. Ted held leadership positions in a number of professional service organizations as well. He was President of the Decatur Lions Club in 1963-1964. A member of Decatur Rotary since 1976, Ted served as the club's President in 1984-1985, the first year women were allowed into the club. "What an asset," he had said. "If we don't get them, Kiwanis will!" He then presided over 64 clubs as Rotary International District Governor in 1988-1989. "War is a rotten, dirty thing," Ted said. "Through Rotary, perhaps we can find world peace." In 1968, Ted served as Mental Health Association President, helping then State Senator Bobby Rowan pass major mental healthcare reform legislation. An active member of Telephone Pioneers of America, he served as its statewide Dixie Chapter President in 1973-1974. Ted also served as Atlanta Georgia State University Foundation Chair, 1971; Georgia State University National Alumni Association President, 1973-1974; DeKalb Cancer Society President, 1982-1983; and as a member of the Georgia Partners of the Americas' International Friendship Force.
Ted's life as a servant leader was influenced and strengthened by his abiding faith in God. He was an active member of Druid Hills Baptist Church for many years. There he filled many needs, including teaching the young adult Church School for 20 years, and serving as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. Ted's compassion for others never ceased. In 2002, Ted worked with homeless children living under a bridge in Miami in his third mission trip with the church. Recently, Ted became a member of Westminister Presbyterian Church, joining worship with his best friend since childhood, Leslie (Buck) Buchanan, M.D. Ted's life was not without hardship, however. His first wife, Sarah, died in a tragic car wreck in 1976. Daughter Pat O'Callaghan Smith helped ease that loss, however, with the introduction of a library assistant at Toney Elementary School, where Pat taught school. Jean Price O'Callaghan and Ted were married in 1978, a year after their Christmas-time introduction. "Ted was a wonderful father to our daughters Gina (Price Lundberg) and Tonia (O'Callaghan McKinney)," said Jean, whose husband died in a plane crash the same year Ted lost Sarah. Ted adopted Tonia, then in 8th grade, supported Gina through medical school and helped Tonia through college. Ted and Jean loved to travel, flying to Brazil in 1979 to represent the City of Decatur in its Sister City, Recife. They also traveled to Ireland to explore Ted's Irish roots, to Germany and Scotland through Rotary's Family Exchange Program, to England with the International Friendship Force, and to Alaska and Hawaii. One particularly memorable Hawaiian trip included children and grandchildren. In a life led with integrity and humility, Ted O'Callaghan, Sr. touched the hearts of many. He will be missed dearly, and not forgotten. Ted was preceded in death by his first wife, Sarah O'Callaghan; parents Leland O'Callaghan, Sr. and Elsa Peters O'Callaghan; brother Leland O'Callaghan, Jr.; and sister Elsa O'Callaghan Binford. Ted is survived by his wife, Jean Price O'Callaghan; son Theodore Peter O'Callaghan, Jr. (Kathy); daughters Patricia O'Callaghan Smith (Scott) of Wilmington, NC; Gina Price Lundberg (Ian) of Marietta; and Tonia O'Callaghan McKinney (Fate) of Suwanee. Ted also leaves grandchildren Enryk O'Callaghan, Ruthly O'Callaghan Lesane (James), Megan Smith, John-Scott Smith (Catherine), Grace Smith, Anna Smith, Christian Lundberg, Aubrey Lundberg, Caitlin Keel, Gabriel Keel, Briannah Keel and Kelly Mullins; and great gandchildren, Carter O'Callaghan, Sean Mullins, James Lesane, III and Kathryn Lesane, sister-in-law, Dorothy O'Callaghan, (Leland), and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Wesminister Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Kay and Rev. Glen Herndon officiating. Interment, Westview Cemetery with military honors. Honored to serve as honorary escort will be members of the Rotary Club of Decatur. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday at A. S. Turner & Sons and from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM Tuesday morning at the church.


Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033