Theodore Leo Clabeauz

Theodore “Ted” Leo Clabeaux, aged 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026, in San Jose California. Ted was born on September 7, 1929, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Anita Hope Chappell and Theodore Leo Clabeaux. He was joined two years later by his sister Barbara Ann.

At the age of five he traveled with his mother and sister to Manila in the Philippines where his father was stationed with the Asiatic Naval Fleet. He returned to the USA after a year, moving to San Pedro, California with his mother and sister. His parents divorced and Anita married Walter Kowalski, who became an important addition in Ted’s life.

Ted grew up in San Pedro enjoying the beach, hiking the hills and making lifelong friends at school. He enjoyed many school activities including Honor Society and played the French horn. He enrolled at UCLA in the NROTC program and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His midshipman cruise was on the USS Missouri in the Panama Canal area. Upon graduation from UCLA Ted immediately shipped out to serve on the USS Brush as a Lt JG Engineering Officer during the Korean Conflict and bravely faced enemy fire on multiple occasions.

After his tour of duty, Ted returned to the stateside and joined McDonnell Douglas as a mechanical engineer. He met Elaine Kertes in 1956 in Long Beach, CA and they married in Belmont Shore, CA on August 30, 1957. In June of 1958, they welcomed son Bryan Michael to the family followed by Karen Ann in March of 1960. Lockheed Aircraft was hiring in Sunnyvale CA and the young family moved north in May of 1960 where they settled in a new home in West San Jose. Ted was proud to earn his MBA at the University at Santa Clara. He was excited to go through graduation ceremonies as he was unable to do so at UCLA due to being shipped out immediately to Korea. In 1967 Ted and Elaine built their dream home in Saratoga, which they treasured during their 68-year marriage.

Professionally, Ted worked on various government projects over his career with Lockheed. His favorite assignment, however, was serving as the Test Engineering Manager for Lockheed’s Aquila Project-the first drone developed for the US Army. He was stationed in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, and Ted and Elaine had the opportunity to explore the area during his time working there. He enjoyed a close camaraderie with his team on the project and loved hiking and birdwatching in the area.

Ted loved learning and took many classes at De Anza College in photography, anthropology, and Spanish. However, upon discovering he was a Mayflower descendent, genealogy became his passion. Classes, research, trips to Salt Lake City Library and the East Coast all resulted in a discovery of ancestors on both sides of his family. It gave him great joy to meet all these family members, leaving a treasure trove of data for any interested family members. Ted was proud member of the Mayflower Society and loved to share stories about his family history.

Traveling was a passion that Ted and Elaine shared and they made it a priority in their lives. In the early years the family enjoyed camping, road trips and adventures by train. As retirees they loved to explore Canada and the US in their RV, as well as taking cruises all around the world. Relaxing in the Sierra’s, on Vancouver Island and in Las Vegas were some of Ted’s favorite trips.

Ted had a kind and generous heart and donated over two gallons of blood to the Red Cross as well as volunteering for causes both local and abroad. Accompanied by his son, Bryan, he cherished the opportunity to be part of the Bay Area Honor Flight program and travel to Washington D.C. to be honored with other US Veterans. Ted’s hobbies and interests included gardening, fly-fishing, backpacking, hiking and genealogy. A huge football fan, Ted’s favorite team was the San Francisco 49ers.

Ted is survived by his wife Elaine Clabeaux, children Bryan Clabeaux (Mary), Karen Seroff (Nick), grandchildren Alex Seroff (David Cheung), Sarah Clabeaux (Travis Shields), Andrew Seroff (Emily Salvaterra), Katie Clabeaux, Tristan Seroff, Stephanie Clabeaux, and nephews Ray and Robert Kordich. He was blessed to know his great-grandchildren Fiona Seroff, Lowen Shields and Phoebe Shields. His family will forever treasure memories of him and the way he would tell a joke with a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes. Ted will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Chapel at Saratoga Federated Church, 20390 Park Place, Saratoga on October 3, 2026 at 11am.

Donations in Ted’s memory can be made to HonorFlightBayArea.org  or The Nature Conservancy.