Hazelwood, Theodore Eugene
At 7 o’clock in the morning, Theodore Eugene Hazelwood was born in the little town of Silverwood, in Fulton Township, Fountain County, Indiana to Joe and Ruth Parker Hazelwood. Dr. Earl Johnson was the attending physician. Dad was a bridge carpenter, I assume on a railroad. “Teddy” was their 3rd born but I only know of one brother, Joe Jr. The family moved not long thereafter to Frankfort in Clinton County, Indiana where Teddy (later in life called Ted) grew-up. He played HS football there as well as basketball (see photos). In 1942, he joined the Marine Corp and spent about 18 months in the South Pacific during WWII. Upon his return, he married Gerry O’Neill. At his death Feb 27, 2005, they had been married 60 years. He also entered and graduated from the University of NC where he played football going from there to the Chicago Hornets where he played in 1949. In 1953, he was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the 16th round. For the Washington Redskins, he was an offensive tackle. He was listed at 6’1” and 235# however his WWII registration said 6’1 and ½ “ tall and with brown hair and brown eyes. He registered at Frankfort and at that point lived with his parents, working for his father and living at 1108 North Main Street in Frankfort.
At the end of his football career, he ran a sporting goods shop in Frankfort and later went to work in New Haven, CT for the Winchester Gun Co. His several executive positions let him travel all over the world. An avid hunter and fisherman he did both wherever he went and would laugh about being paid to enjoy his hobby. Also, he enjoyed Trapshooting (on the Nebraska State Team in 1963) where he obtained the All-American title.
Ted and Gerry had a son Tam, a couple of grandchildren at his death in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington at age 80. RIP!!
Sources: Wikipedia; Pro Football Rep; Famous Fix; WWII draft; 1940 and 1950 census; obituary; FindAGrave
Source: Bellingham Washington Herald Wed 2 March 2005 p 5
Theodore (Ted) Hazelwood passed away on Feb 27, 2005 in St. Joseph Hospital from heart complications. He was born April 25, 1924 to Ruth and Joe Hazelwood in Silverwood, IN. Ted graduated from Frankfort, Indiana High School in 1942, and joined the Marine Corp. He served 1 ½ years in the South Pacific during WWII. He graduated from the University of NC in Chapel Hill, NC in 1948. He then played football for the Chicago Hornets and Washington Redskins. After owning a sporting good store in Frankfort, he went to work for the Winchester Gun Co of New Haven, CT in 1960. He had several executive positions with them which enabled him to travel the world. He was an avid hunger and fisherman – which he did all over the world. He always said that he got paid for his hobby. He was also an all American Trapshooter. He shot on the Nebraska State Team in 1963. He returned to Bellingham in 1981. Ted married Gerry O’Neill on Feb 28, 1945 who survives. He has one son Tam and wife Dianne; one granddaughter Chrstine Rinard and husband Chris; one grandson Barry Bonner and wife Gretchen; one great granddaughter Tori Rinard. At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the NRA Contributions, 11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131, Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 or your favorite charity.
