Theodore John Vass, 89, former resident of Lake City, FL, passed away on January 6, 2015. Son of the late John Issac and Frances Ullrick Vass, he was predeceased by his first wife, Kamala Shrinagesh Vass and grandson Stuart Slusher. He is survived by his second wife, Edith Purser Vass, of Celebration, FL and four children, Melanie Vass Simon, Clermont, FL, Dorie Vass Guidon, Bellingham, WA, Jay R. Vass (Dede), Lake City FL, and Alexandra Vass Slusher, Richmond, VA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael Theodore Guidon (Rachel), Seattle, WA, Dane Guidon (Vanessa), Bellingham, WA, Alyssa Alderman (Grant), Denver, CO, and Ted Slusher, Sacramento, CA, and two great-grandchildren as well as six stepchildren living in Florida, Trey Purser (Michelle), Pam Johnson (Tim), Al Purser (Edie), Kim Bagwell (James), Laura Basenese (Lou), Hank Purser and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ted's great love was aviation. He learned to fly while in high school in Whitefish Bay, WI, served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII, graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Commercial Aviation, and was a pilot for United Airlines for over 30 years. He was also a mediator/arbitrator for numerous airline mergers, a labor relations executive for Pan Am Airways, and a labor/management specialist at the Department of Transportation.

After retiring, Ted was active in the Lake City community. He served on several committees and sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Lake City, was a former President and long-time board member and volunteer for the Christian Service Center, a member and board member of the Military Officers Association of America, a Columbia County School System volunteer motivator mentoring at-risk boys, and he introduced young men and women to flying as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's "Young Eagles" program.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 P.M. on Saturday, January 17,2015 at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. James Montgomery officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home 1 hour prior to service time ( 1.P.M.). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Christian Service Center, P.O. Box 2285, Lake City, FL 32056 or First Presbyterian Church, 697 SW Baya Dr., Lake City, 32025. Please leave words of comfort and love for the family on the online guest book at www.gatewayforestlawn.com