Theodore A. Efimov

Theodore A Efimov (March 1933 – April 1 2022)     

Born on March 2, 1933, to Theodore James Efimov & Olga Efimov.   At the very young age of 13 he became an accomplished pianist.  He enjoyed playing the piano on a daily basis.  As he entered High School he started playing football.  Even though he was a light weight  he became a proficient tail back and eventually the manager of the team by his Jr year. This showed his early managerial skills, determination & Sales skills.  In 1951 he met the love of his life Sylvia Ogden.  After 5 years of dating, Dad receiving his first job commission as a teacher, he said to Sylvia, well I guess it is time for us to get married. Sylvia said, “is that a proposal”? They were married later in 1955.  During the time while dad was dating Sylvia he sold Fuller Brush as well as worked at Braach’s chocolate factory and then entered into & graduated from Chicago's Teachers College. This would begin the track that prepared Ted to be the consummate teacher and sales man. He started teaching in Sept '55 and married Sylvia Nov 5th that same year.  Ted received his draft notice and left for his assignment in Jan 1956.  Ted was given assignment to leave for Verona Italy the last part of '56 where he was stationed for 2 years.  In 1958 Ted returned from the Army and was later Honorably Discharged in 1962.  It was in 1958 when his cousin Art introduced him to Radio Church of God, which became Worldwide Church of God.  He was baptized in July '58.  He also joined State Farm as insurance agent in '58.  He was ordained a Deacon of the church in '69. His wife, Sylvia, who has been by his side for 72 years, was ordained a deaconess and served him and those of the greater ecclesia unfailingly with him since 1958. Their home, which was like the Super 8 of Chicago, hosted many people and families which was one of their greater joys. The opportunity to serve was upper most in Dad’s heart whether it was for people to come for dinner, Or stay for a few days, there was always a key “under the mat”.  Besides being a father of 4 children born between 1960 & 1967, Ted became a proficient State Farm Agent, which includes being a Minuteman, as well as qualifying for the Millionaire Club 16 times to be an Ambassador Traveler. Ted many times lost sales due to “teaching” but he wanted people to have what was best for their needs.  With Sylvia they reared their 4 children.  The eldest Deborah (Debbie) Louise Willard, 2nd James Drew, 3rd Bryan Jon, 4th Brett Arthur.  All have become successful parents in their own right.  His steadfast dedication to his faith, his wife Sylvia, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family is a model for all who survive him within the family.  Ted saw unfold in his life what a former State Farm manager of Dad’s once wrote of him "I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if your grateful, you'll see God open up new doors."    God did so all of Dad’s life.

Visitation Sunday, April 10th from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.  Funeral Monday, April 11th, 10:30 A.M. at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood.  Interment Elmwood Cemetery, 2905 Thatcher Avenue, River Grove, IL.  

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: LifeNets info@lifenets.org  (LifeNets is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that develops programs offering practical assistance that promote the well-being and self-sufficiency of disadvantaged people throughout the world and, where possible, encourages them to pass on their LifeNets benefit to others.)

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