Ted Williams Luther

Ted Williams Luther, 75, of Mt. Ulla, passed away Monday, December 2, 2013 at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte. Born May 27, 1938 in Candler, NC, he was the son of the late Thomas Crowell Luther and Ora Ann Williams Luther. He graduated from the first graduating class of Enka High School, Enka, NC, where he played football and made the first team touchdown. Mr. Luther also graduated from NC State University with a BS degree in Animal Science. After graduating from NC State, he went to work for Biltmore Dairy. In 1963 he went to work for the NC Department of Agriculture to supervise dairy research. In 1965 he purchased the farm with his brother Ben. They have operated the farm for 48 years and they were Jersey Cattlemen for 30 years. They started with 20 cows and had as many as 160. They later bred replacement Jersey cows for shipment around the US and abroad. He was a large influence on his grandchildren who shared his love of Jersey cattle. He was a member of Thyatira Presbyterian Church where he was a former Deacon and served as a Chairman on the Trustee Committee. Mr. Luther was a member of the NC Jersey Breeders and served as President for 10 years, served on the National All Jersey Board of Directors that was part of the American Jersey Cattle Association from 1980-1997 and served as President for 2 years. In 2006 he received the National Distinguished Service Award from the American Jersey Cattle Association. He also received the Distinguished Service Award for the NC Jersey Breeders. He served on the DHIA Board of Directors, the Advisory Board of Southern States Cooperative, past Board of Director of the Federal Land Bank, now Carolina Farm Credit and served as Chairman of the West Rowan High School Advisory Council. Mr. Luther enjoyed playing golf and organizing tournaments for his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Thora Dell McDevitt. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Dorothy Wilson “Dot” Luther, whom he married September 4, 1960; daughter, Leigh Anne Wetmore and husband Mark of Mt. Ulla; son Richard Kyle Luther and wife Robin of Mt. Ulla; brother, Ben Luther and wife Margaret of Mt. Ulla; grandchildren, Daniel Phillip Wetmore of Appalachian State University, Boone, Steven Ted Wetmore of NC State University, Raleigh, Lauren Vail Luther of East Carolina University, Greenville and Jonathan Kyle Luther of Mt. Ulla; 2 nieces and 4 nephews and numerous cousins. Funeral services will be conducted 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 5) at Thyatira Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. J. William Lindeman, interim minister, officiating. Interment will follow at Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Church Fellowship Hall following the services. Memorials may be made to Thyatira Presbyterian Church, 220 White Rd., Salisbury, NC 28147 or the NC Dairy Youth Foundation, PO Box 7621, Department of Animal Science, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7621

Ted Williams Luther

May 27, 1938 - December 2, 2013