Theodore John Hassler

Theodore John Ted or TJ Hassler, 68, passed away from this life peacefully on October 21, 2016 at home in Guthrie, OK. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ted was raised and lived in Florida until coming to live in Oklahoma near his sister, Ruby Ladd and brother, Bob Hassler. A resident of various facilities and group homes throughout his life, from 2008 Ted lived in the care of Community Access, Inc. group homes of Lawton and Stillwater, OK. In the last year he was also served by Sooner Hospice of Oklahoma City.
Ted had numerous Sheltered Workshop occupations and earned recognition as a custodian and pipe driller in Florida. He enjoyed his job washing dishes at Pistol Pizza on OSU Stillwater campus where he was noted for doing an excellent job with a great sense of humor. He was named Payne County Sheltered Workshop Employee of the Quarter in spring 2000.
Ted played guitar and loved Johnny Cash songs. He collected wrist watches and rings, liked to wear dress suits or all black like his idol, and enjoyed watching old western movies and TV shows. But more than anything Ted loved to make people smile and laugh. He considered this to be his primary responsibility and his sense of humor endured despite his many challenges.
Other surviving family members include his brother Phillip of Massachusetts, his sister Debbie Flanagan of Florida, six nieces, four nephews, two grand-nieces and two grand-nephews. The family thanks all those who cared for Ted, including Palmer-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater for their reverent and professional services at the end. Ted is remembered by his siblings, his extended family of many generous and loving Community Access staff, and numerous State Department of Human Services and Sooner Hospice professionals as a courageous, cantankerous, and charming man.