Theodore E Furry

Furry, Theodore E (Ted), age 98 originally from Millerstown, PA, passed away July 25,
2022 at Green Ridge Village in Newville, PA. Ted lived a long and full life having been
born in New Enterprise, PA on May 23, 1924. Ted attended Replogle High School in
New Enterprise while working two farms owned by his parents. He graduated in
1942. Ted enlisted in the US Army in 1944 during WW II. Following basic training,
Ted was shipped to the WWII European Theater just prior to VE Day in May 1945.
During this experience, he was assigned the duties of Chaplain Assistant where he
organized field church services and was assigned the responsibility for documenting
the horrors of war as they were encountered on their march to Berlin. (A particular
horrific scene they encountered was in Gardelegen, Germany that is the topic of a an
upcoming WWII documentary inspired by Ted’s sharing of his experiences there.)
Once in Berlin, Ted was a courier between the meetings of the Allied Powers as they
decided the fate of Europe.

Upon returning from the war, Ted attended McPherson College in Kansas (1946-
1949) then transferred to Penn State University where he attained his agricultural
teaching degree. While working a summer job in NJ, Ted proposed to and then
married the love of his life Helen (Sylvester) Furry in Lawrenceville, NJ. They began
married life in State College until Ted graduated in 1951, then began his teaching
career at Shippensburg School District before taking a job at Greenwood High School
as the Agriculture Education/Industrial Arts teacher in 1952. Ted was later promoted
to high school principal in 1963 where he became well known throughout Perry
County and beyond. He retired from Greenwood in 1980 and worked for the Perry
County Conservation District where he mapped and directed treatments during the
Gypsy Moth infestation.

Ted was very involved in the Millerstown community, including active roles in the
Lions Club, Carlisle Presbytery, Millerstown Bureau Council, Millerstown Cemetery
Committee, Millerstown Sewer/Water and he was especially proud of his leadership
roles for the Greenwood Future Farmers of America (FFA--that is still very active
today). Ted was active in the Millerstown Presbyterian Church and later the
Highland Presbyterian Church including teaching Sunday School, participating on the
church session, and singing with the church choir. He was especially active in the
merger of the Millerstown and Newport Presbyterian Churches that resulted in the

Highland Presbyterian Church—including the construction of the current church
building. Following his retirement from Greenwood, Ted was President and member
of the Perry County Retired School Teachers.

Ted was an avid Penn State football fan for most of his life with season tickets for
many years. He’ll continue to root for the Lions from his topside view together with
his wife Helen and Joe Paterno!

Ted was preceded in death by his loving wife Helen; parents Elry Teeter Furry and
Annie (Metzger) Furry; two brothers Forrest and Irvin; and three sisters Reba, Gladys,
and Kathryn. Ted is survived by his three children and their families: daughter
Margaret (Peg) Tressler and her husband Dennis Tressler of Newport, PA with
grandchildren Teri Tressler (husband Bill Jadlowski and great grandchildren Lincoln
and Ila) and Ryan Tressler (fiance Meghan Rath); son Jim Furry and his wife Gail Furry
of Coplay, PA with grandchildren Eric Furry (wife Hilda Lai Furry and great grandchild
Wesley) and Lisa Brown (husband Jason Brown with great grandchild due November
2022); daughter Lynne Douty and her husband Nathan Douty of Mechanicsburg, PA
with grandchildren Sean Douty (wife Ali Douty and great grandchild Ryland) and
Nicholas Douty (wife Samantha Douty and great grandchildren Nicholas and
Emerson).

A funeral service will be held Friday, August 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Highland
Presbyterian Church in Newport, PA (visitation hour before the service starting at
1:00 pm),  followed by a reception at the Highland Presbyterian Church. For those
attending the services on August 12, you are encouraged to wear Penn State blue
and white!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Highland Presbyterian
Church (11 Church Road, Newport, PA 17074)

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