Stephen Ted Chabries' Obituary
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Stephen Ted Chabries. Ted passed away peacefully on Monday, September 26, 2022 at his home in Woods Cross at the age of 68.
Ted was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Chabries, his mother Maxine Chabries, his sister Johnell Chabries and his granddaughter Brianna Williams.
Ted was born in Salt Lake City in 1953 to his loving parents Melvin Edward Chabries and Maxine Westover Chabries. He was the youngest of 4 children. His oldest brother, Doug, was only in the home with Ted for 7 years. During that short time, Doug would occasionally take Ted fishing and they formed a brotherly bond that lasted throughout the years. Mike, the second oldest, had a few extra years that were spent together with Ted in their family home. After their Dad's long standing disagreement with the Bountiful Garbage Man; Mike and Ted were "voluntold" to run the families new garbage truck business, and successfully put "the other guy" out of business. In their later years if you heard a conversation between Mike and Ted, the brotherly bond was still just as apparent. Ted would try to give Mike "tips" for getting through "this" or "that" medical procedure and Mike would gruffly reply, "Thanks Kid". Johnell is next in line, she was the only sister they had. Ted has always been protective over his family. When it came to Johnell he unadmitly adored her. When he and his sister Johnell were still small babies, Johnell stopped eating. Ted would save her life, as Johnell refused to eat, he, as the youngest baby of the family, would eat her food. Johnell did not like that one bit and started eating her food again. Throughout their lifetime Ted would always make Johnell laugh, and loyally came to help with whatever new thing she couldn't install at home. They had sibling banter all the way until Johnell passed away. They were very close.
Ted grew up in Bountiful in the house that he and his father built. Teds father taught him many things but the most spoken of were patriotism and hard work. As a young boy, Ted and his father also built a concrete garden planter that still stands in the backyard of the family home and still blooms some of the same roses they planted for his mother so many years ago. His mother, Maxine, taught Ted about the gospel and faith. Through her, Ted gained a strong testimony and a love for the scriptures and church history. Ted served his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Germany. He graduated from Viewmont High School and earned his bachelors degree in business from BYU. Ted moved to California and became the proud Dad of Jeremy and Jamie.
His passion for Trucking began at an early age and continued throughout his life until his retirement. He learned how to drive a truck at the tender age of 8 and would drive around Bountiful and help his neighbors.
Ted would later use his passion for trucking and the German language skills he acquired from his mission and relocate with his 2 children Jeremy and Jamie to Germany where he became the Vice president of S & K 2000 Inc. He would manage the transportation of U.S. Army equipment from base to base. In Germany, Ted
became a proud Dad again when his twins Jared and Justin were born.
When Ted relocated back to the U.S. he continued working in the trucking industry. Ted excelled as a union representative for Standard Oil. He later became an independent owner operator, and enjoyed driving throughout the United States and Canada, especially with his grandson Malik. They have been to 48 U.S States together.
Ted became a leader for multiple companies in the trucking and transportation industry.
His passion for trucking has later been passed on to his son Jared, as he is following in his father’s footsteps.
When Ted retired he loved reading, gardening, his fishpond and his grandchildren. He would grow his own vegetable in his garden. He raised over 50 catfish & bluegills. He loved sitting at his fishpond for hours with his grandchildren feeding and watching the fish. Ted taught his grandson Scott how to fish. His grandson now considers fishing to be his favorite hobby. Ted loved to sit back and laugh at his children arguing about who WASN'T going to jump in the pond and catch the mean fish (good job Justin & Malakai). Ted would also teach his granddaughters Audrey and Sarah how to drive. Grandpa Ted would cruise with them in his yellow ‘75 Lincoln Continental Mark IV around Bountiful.
His love for cooking has also been inherited to his children, he taught all of them how to cook. Ted would make the best Thanksgiving meals. His children and grandchildren and sister always rave about the perfectly home cooked meals and steaks that tasted absolutely phenomenal. With the exception of the burnt dinner rolls which seemed to happen every year at Thanksgiving. Even 12 alarms couldn't get those rolls out of the oven before burning.
Ted especially liked to spoil and enjoyed watching over his youngest grandson, Lisiate, or how he liked to call him “Chubbers”. Everyday when Ted’s daughter Jamie picked Chubbers up from Grandpa's home, she would find twinkies, ding dongs & cupcakes and sometimes ice cream cones that Grandpa Ted would put in Chubbers little preschool backpack.
Ted’s first born son, Jeremy, describes him best, as always selfless, as a man who always fought for what he thought was right. An example of hard work and absolute commitment.
Ted is greatly missed and survived by his 4 children; Jeremy, Jamie(Malakai), Jared & Justin(Christle) and by his many grandchildren: Jordan, Kaylie, Malik, Jake, Trevor, Tayla, Audrey, Sarah, Lepolo, Isikeli, Malakai, Scotty & Lisiate.
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