San Marcos has lost one of her most inspirational leaders and faithful community servants. Theodore “Ted” William Breihan, 95, passed from this life on November 17, 2021.
Ted was born on November 3, 1926, in Brenham, Texas and was raised in the Texas Hill Country on a farm on the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, and in Fredericksburg, Texas.
When he was only nine years old, Ted had lost his mother, and was “adopted” by a family that awakened him to a good life. Growing up in the home of an electrician developed his love for electricity.
Ted graduated from Tivy High School in Kerrville and enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II. He served on the USS Duffy in the South Pacific conflict.
Upon his return from the war, he attended Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Southwestern in Georgetown. He wanted to become a teacher and help young people.
In 1951, Ted married the great love of his life, Frances Sample, and moved to San Marcos to finish his education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation he decided to remain in San Marcos and open his own electrical company, Ted Breihan Electric Company, which has kept the lights on in San Marcos for more than 65 years. The independent electrical contracting business continues today, with his son, Stacy at the helm, although Ted never officially retired from keeping an eye on things.
The First United Methodist Church of San Marcos has been one of the focal points of Ted’s life for the past 70 years. For many years, he led the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and serving as Scout Master for Troop 112 which has been sponsored by the Methodist Church for more than a half century. Ted humbly received the prestigious Silver Beaver award for his many years of service.
Through the help of the Scout troop and personal contributions of electrical services, Ted assisted with the opening of the first Scheib Center, a community mental health and developmental disabilities facility, which was then located on Cheatham Street. When the Center outgrew its first home Ted, the Scouts, and local building contractor, Bill Rader made it possible for Scheib to move into a larger facility.
He continued to grow in his faith as a pillar in the Methodist Church, through his involvement with the Emmaus community and the Walk to Emmaus program.
Ted became involved with the Southside Community Center, a mission program of the Methodist Church, in the early 1950s, assisting them in organizing several auto mechanics courses to help youth in need of job-related skills.
He was a charter member of the Balcones Kiwanis Club and served as president of the local chapter and lieutenant governor. Ted was honored with the prestigious Hixson Award because of his outstanding leadership and involvement with the Kiwanis organization.
Ted has served on the Capital Area Regional Planning Council for several years and was instrumental in the development of the Criminal Justice programs at Texas State University.
He was elected to serve on the San Marcos City Council where he served two terms and was Mayor Pro-Tem for one year.
Ted’s vision and natural gift of recognizing how communities can and will grow led him into real estate development. He was instrumental in the development of Springtown Shopping Center in the 1970s, which now houses The Lyndon apartments, the Spot Entertainment Facility and other retail businesses and restaurants. The other major development he helped to create was the Valley View Estates residential project, one of the area’s first planned subdivisions.
Our community has been impacted many times over by Ted’s natural insight and vision of growth. Ted received many honors and awards for his commitment to this community through the seven decades he made San Marcos his home. He was grateful that he could be a part in the betterment of the city he so loved. His heart was as big as Texas, and he shared it fully.
His leadership and community service has left a resounding mark on San Marcos and will be recognized for many years to come. The fellowship hall of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church was named in honor of Ted; and his role as a longtime board member of the LBJ Museum in San Marcos led to the establishment of the Ted Breihan Open Golf Tournament which has been a major fundraiser for the museum for nearly 20 years.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Bernard “Ben” Breihan and Bertha Schroeter Breihan; brothers, Edward Breihan and Rev. Bob Breihan; and sister Elizabeth Cotner. He is also preceded by his daughter, Dawn Breihan and son, Jaimy Breihan.
Ted is survived by his wife of 70 years, Frances Breihan; son, Stacy Breihan and wife Michele, of San Marcos; daughter Erin B. Pellien, and husband Corky of San Marcos; grandchildren: Crystal Siegert, and husband Chris, of Bryan; Taylor Breihan of Austin; Major Pellien of San Marcos; and four great-grandchildren; nieces; Harriett Breihan, Linda Breihan, Cathy McCully, Laurie Breihan, Celia Johnston, Katie Breihan, Linda Breihan; and nephews; Robert Cotner, Bob Breihan, Dick Breihan, Hugh McCully, Dave Lang, Doug Johnston, John Breihan and Jimmy Breihan. Also surviving Ted are Jordan and Sarah Pellien, and their three children of Austin. “Grandpa-Ted” or “Big Ted” was how he was lovingly referred.
The family wishes to thank the many nurses and doctors at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital and the New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital for their kindness professional care.
His daughter, Erin, tended Ted in a most beautiful way, through his search for restored health. No professional nurse could have given Ted better tender loving care that she provided.
Ted transitioned to his new life to face his Lord and Savior hearing Him say, “Welcome my good and faithful servant – your life was well-lived.”
God bless you, Ted, for all the years you had been on your earthly journey, seeking to be a faithful servant for your Lord and Savior. May you find proof of God’s love and peace in your heavenly home.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 3, from 5-7 at the Activity-Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, and the funeral service will be at noon on Saturday, December 4, in the First United Methodist Church Main Sanctuary, with overflow seating in the Activity Fellowship Hall. Reception following service in the Activity Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ted’s memory to First United Methodist Church of San Marcos – General Building Fund, or El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church of San Marcos.
Anchors Away, Ted.
Arrangements in care of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, Texas 78666, 512-353-4311 ~ www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
