Teddy Duckworth

January 10, 1943 - December 29, 2017 Teddy "Ducky" Duckworth was born on January 10, 1943 in Lisbon, WI to Floyd L. and Gladys I. (Neve) Duckworth. Ted grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from New Lisbon High School in 1961. He joined the Marines and served his country for 5 years 4 months completing 2 extended tours in Vietnam with HMM-163 as a helicopter mechanic, crew chief and door gunner. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart after his helicopter was shot down, for the third time, near Heip Duc. After returning from Vietnam, Ted attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in geography and history. In April of 1972 Ted was appointed the Juneau County Veterans Service Officer and retired in 2006 after 34 years of dedicated service. Ted was a member of the American Legion Post 110, New Lisbon for 51 years. In June 1991 he was appointed to the Board of Veterans Affairs where he served from 1994-1997 on all committees. Ted was elected to lead the WI American Legion as State Commander 2005-2006. His true passion was Badger Boys State and served as Director for 10 years. Ted was also a volunteer fireman for 15 years for the New Lisbon Fire Department. Ted loved golfing and would play the game every day of the week ending in "Y"! He met his wife Carole while playing golf in 2011, and they were married on October 6, 2012 in Wisconsin. Ted also enjoyed watching football, playing cribbage and cards and spending time with family and friends. Ted and Carole relocated to Troutman, NC in December 2016 due to his health condition. Ted passed away Friday, December 29, 2017, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville, NC at the age of 74 years, 11 months, and 19 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gerald Duckworth and sister June Duckworth. Ted is survived by his wife, Carole; two sisters Jessie (Cliff) Jensen and Judy (Stephen) Kennedy; three brothers Bill (Judy) Duckworth, Bob (Becky) Duckworth and Leroy Duckworth; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A viewing will be held from 10-11 am Friday, January 5, in the fellowship hall at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 225 Morgan Street, Troutman, NC 28166 with the funeral service from 11 am to 12 noon. Pastor Dieter W. Punt will be officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Community Cemetery, Cornelius, NC immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Badger Boys State, PO Box 388, Portage, WI 53901 or Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS), PO Box 130, Sparta, WI 54656. Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Teddy Duckworth.