Published: January 20, 2007 11:45 pm         

Local architect Ted Maffitt Jr. dies at 83

PALESTINE — Well-known local architect Theodore Stuart “Ted” Maffitt Jr. died Friday at a Tyler hospital. He was 83.

Stepson Tucker Royall said Saturday night that although he was well aware of his step-father’s professional and military accomplishments, he would remember him most by his personal relationships with those around him.

“I was obviously aware of all of Ted’s accomplishments, both as an Army officer in World War II, and professionally as an architect,” Royall said. “However, the Ted I knew through the years was all about family and friends. He loved his wife, his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and their spouses, and his great-grandchildren. He was proud of them, and he was actively involved in their lives, spending time with them and encouraging them.

“To his close friends, he was thoughtful and loyal. All of this rested on his faith in God and his love for his church. A man of integrity, loyalty and courage sum up the Ted Maffitt I knew and loved.”

Professor John O. Greer, who hired Maffitt to teach architecture courses at Texas A&M University in 1980, said Saturday that he would miss Maffitt’s friendship and leadership.

“He’s a caring person, a leader, a person who would tell you when you’re doing good and tell you when you’re not doing good,” Greer said. “He was as honest as the day is long. He was a quiet man you just paid attention to.”

George Loving of Austin met Maffitt while both served together on several boards, and the two became friends, Loving said.

“Ted is probably the most loved and respected individual I’ve ever met,” Loving said.

Born in Palestine to Theodore Stuart Maffitt and Anna Josephine Helm Maffitt on March 11, 1923, Maffitt was reared in Palestine, graduating from Palestine High School in 1940. He attended Texas A&M University until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942, then returned to finish his Bachelor of Architecture degree after the war.

He joined his father in the family firm of “Maffitt & Maffitt, Architects” in 1948 and the two were instrumental in the design and construction of many buildings around Palestine and East Texas.

Maffitt continued his work locally after his father’s death and is credited with such buildings as Palestine High School, City Hall and the adjoining police station, Palestine Fire Department Station 1, Royall Memorial Band Stand, TXU office, Palestine Civic Center, Department of Public Safety office, Texas National Guard Armory and the Palestine campus of Trinity Valley Community College, as well as the Cartmell Home for Aged, Rusk State Hospital and the Texas State Railroad.

Maffitt was active in his profession, serving as president of the Texas Society of Architects and as the Texas director of the National American Institute of Architects.

Twice he was appointed by the governor as chairman of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and he received a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Society of Architects in 1988 and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Texas A&M University College of Architecture, where he had taught and served as an Associate Dean of the College of Architecture. He retired in 1990 as a Professor Emeritus.

In September 1998, Maffitt donated thousands of architectural drawings made by his father and himself from 1914 through 1981 of buildings in Palestine to the Alexander Architectural Archive at the University of Texas at Austin. The collection included Sacred Heart Catholic Church, First Christian Church, First M.E. Church of Elkhart, Palestine Ice Company, Meadowbrook Country Club, the Anderson County Jail and East Texas National Bank, as well as many schools and residences around the area.

Beth J. Dodd, curator of the Alexander Architectural Archive, said at the time that the Maffitt collection was an important addition to the state’s collection.

“The Maffitt collection is a terrific contribution,” Dodd said in a Herald-Press story from May 23,1999. “The Maffitts have had an obvious impact on Palestine. The Maffitts were important regional architects and it’s wonderful to have them as representatives of East Texas in the Alexander Architectural Archive.”

In addition to his work as an architect, Maffitt also was a highly decorated World War II veteran, having served as an 81-mm mortar forward observer in the 254th Infantry regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1943-44. He served valiantly, earning the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal, Good Conduct medal, American Theatre medal, European Theatre medal with three battle stars for action in Ardennes Forest and Alsace region, Rheinland and Central Europe, World War II Victory medal, Army of Occupation medal with Germany clasp, Presidential Unit Citation with two clusters, Army Reserve medal and the French Croix de Guerre with palm.

Although he left active duty after four years, Maffitt continued to serve his country by helping to reactivate the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard, later retiring from the Texas National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1965.

Maffitt enjoyed collecting buffalo items and Texas A&M memorabilia at his farm near Westwood, according to friends.

Maffitt is survived by his wife, Ann Boyd Royall Maffitt; four daughters, Mrs. Paul (Andrea) Morris of Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. Harold (Angela) Woodard of Palestine, Mrs. Lyndon (Stuart Anne) Fox of Brownfield and Miss Allison Jay Maffitt of Houston; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Jean Wheeler Maffitt, and his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Philip's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Sam Boyd and Rev. David Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Palestine City Cemetery under the direction of the funeral home.

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com

     

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