Theodore (Ted) Joseph Scharer, Sr., 82, of Sequatchie, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2020, during a recent hospital stay.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Scharer and Bessie Scharer, his brother Don Scharer, his niece, Diana Barnes Wynne, and his brothers-in-law, Roy Ridley and William Barnes.

He is survived by his three children, Terrie Scharer of South Pittsburg, TN, Bobby (Cathy) Scharer of Kimball, TN, and Ted (Sheila) Scharer, Jr., of Ellicott City, MD; four sisters, Ann Ridley and Sue (Jimmy) Stephens of South Pittsburg, TN, Patty Barnes of Bryant, AL, and Reba Scharer of Hixson, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews, some of whom considered him a "second" father.

He is also survived by his loving grandsons, Bobby (Amanda) Scharer, Jr., of Sevierville, TN, and Brandon (Andrea) Scharer of Knoxville, TN, and step-grandchildren, Hope (Andy) Holtzclaw of Pulaski, TN, and Nicole Buie of Tulsa, OK.

He is survived by 6 great-grandchildren, Asher Scharer, Liam Scharer, Elijah Scharer, Layla Scharer, Benjamin Scharer, and Faelynn Scharer.

Ted was born in 1938, the third of six children, in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

After a short time with Brown Tree Company, Ted spent the remainder of his career as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service in South Pittsburg, TN for 37 years. The creed is true , " Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds ." From the old school, he would fill his aged mail bag each morning and trek out for his delivery route on foot, before delivery trucks became the norm. On any given day he would deliver letters, heavy Sears catalogs, gifts or whatever was ready to be delivered that day.  It was a labor of love as during his deliveries, he would not hesitate to shoot the breeze with all the people along his route.  Many would await his arrival, for either what was in the mail or to chat with him.  It was likely the latter.

He added to his civil service by spending nine years in the Tennessee National Guard from 1955 to 1964 which spanned the years of his children's births. Coincidence or not?

After work, even after walking over 5 miles in the hot and humid Tennessee summer, he would head out on a variety of jobs.  These ranged from helping his children with mowing lawns to painting houses, as well as a range of carpentry jobs.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, grandsons, and great-grandchildren, and an assorted cast of characters.

Somehow, he also made time to spend countless hours after work and on weekends to coach youth teams, whether it was baseball, softball, football or basketball.  Occasionally, he would get referrals from the South Pittsburg High School football coach to mentor centers on the team, the position which he played in high school.  He spent time as a referee for basketball and umpire for Dixie Youth baseball.

He retired from the Postal Service in 1992 after a 37-year career.  He took early retirement and was able to retire at age 54.  For the most part, he did what you should in retirement, he relaxed.  He would occasionally fill in as needed with the Sequatchie Post Office, as it was in his DNA, and he continued to hunt and fish.  He enjoyed watching the old classic western movies and becoming frustrated watching the Tennessee Volunteer football team's mediocre seasons.

Ted enjoyed the moment he had grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  There was no greater joy than seeing his face light up when he could spend time with those he cherished so much.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will not be a funeral or church service.  The immediate family will have a memorial service at a future date.

In lieu of flowers and to respect Ted's passion for supporting all youth athletes of all abilities, please consider a donation to the Special Olympics: https://give.specialolympics.org/page/contribute/give-in-your-state-match?source=ISadwords&subsource=SOI-National&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5vb-BRCRARIsAJBKc6LXAntBqckxHNSR2vr759WrYmpiDQv6LBugaV8RbTFfPjXS85mqtlUaAtCFEALw_wcB

Arrangements are by Rogers Funeral Home of South Pittsburg, TN 400 Laurel Ave. South Pittsburg (423) 837-7176