Ted G. Chikos, age 88, of rural Bridgeport, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, August 2, 2024, surrounded by his family and was united with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Bayard, Nebraska with Father James Kumarelas officiating. Interment will follow at the Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery near Bridgeport, Nebraska with military honors. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Trisagion Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The funeral will be live-streamed and recorded to Ted’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com where online condolences may also be left.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Ted’s honor be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or to the Sons of the American Legion in Bridgeport.
Ted was born February 21, 1936, in his uncle’s farmhouse in rural Morrill County. He was raised on the farm with his mother Mary G. (Treantos); father, George; sister, Sophia; and brother, Andrew. He attended C-14 country school through the eighth grade. He excelled in sports in high school and was named second team All State Class B Football playing center. One of the highlights of his high school days was being carried off the court after hitting two winning free throws in basketball.
After graduation from Bridgeport High School in 1954, he attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska and later married Lyla Faye “Tay” Houk on September 23, 1955. Ted joined the United States Army and completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas where he became a marksman. He finished his service at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. After the military, Ted came back to Bridgeport and took over the farming operation from his parents. He was a dedicated farmer and received several honors as a sugar beet grower.
Ted was a lifelong member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. He was active in several other organizations including AHEPA, Church Board, Camp Clarke Lodge #285 A.F.A.M., Panhandle Shrine Club, charter member of Nebraska Bean Commission and the National Farmers Organization.
After his retirement from farming, Ted worked as a salesman for Morrill County Implement and spent several years as a crop insurance adjuster where he mentored and trained other adjusters.
He spent a lot of quality time with his grandchildren and was so proud of all of their accomplishments. He loved his chocolate, cheeseburgers and the Huskers. As a child, Ted enjoyed attending the two movie theaters in Bayard where after the movie, he would enjoy a cheeseburger. He valued humility and of greatest importance to him was God, family and country.
Ted is survived by his sons, George (Be) and David Chikos; daughter, Stefani (Chuck) Murrell; Goddaughter, Vasso Anest (Father James) Kumarelas; grandchildren, Wilson (Kelsey Seifert) Chikos and Leigh (Dr. Nic) Allen; great-grandsons, Teddy and Milo Allen; sister, Sophia Poulette; brother, Andy (Fred Burres) and his in-laws, Linda Brown, Clif and Marilyn Houk and Glen Amateis along with his best friend, Monte McGee and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tay; his parents; in-laws, Alex Poulette, Bink Brown and Dixie Amateis.
GO BIG RED!