Ted Claude Polk, age 76 of Mason, passed away at his home Monday, June 29, 2015, with his family by his side. He was born in an apartment that his parents rented in the Seaquist House on February 27, 1939 in Mason, Texas. He graduated from Mason High School in 1957.

Soon after moving to Austin to attend Durham Business School, he met his wife Dorothy Jean Low from Gonzales, TX. They married May 20, 1961 at Pecan Springs Baptist Church in Austin, TX. Then they moved to Mason and lived there except for a few years when they moved to Burnet, TX and purchased the Burnet County Bulletin. It was a successful venture in the he doubled the size of the paper within just a few months. However, it took a toll on him and his family so they sold the paper and moved back to Mason to raise their family. Once back, he went to work for the Mason County News.

Ted and Dorothy also purchased and operated Dot's Variety Store. At one time he held 3 jobs working many nights to make ends meet. He was also a machinist and was working for Trinity Tool until his retirement in 2004, when he developed cancer.

Over the next 11 years, Ted battled numerous bouts with various cancers, each time pulling through. In 2015 his lung cancer returned and he fought it valiantly to the end.

He loved raising cattle and watermelons on the very land he had helped his grandfather on. He also did some ranching on the side. Ted loved to deer hunt and fish for yellow cats and cheer on his beloved San Antonio Spurs.

Ted was a laid back, patient and loving husband and father. He never met a stranger, and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Special thanks to his "coffee buddies" and to Hill Country hospice, especially Chrissy Molter, for their compassionate care.

Ted is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Polk, daughter Connie Monts and husband Mike of Bossier City, LA, son Jerry Polk of Harlan, KY, a sister Judy Ratliff and husband Steve of Brownwood, TX, grandson Chad Roberts and wife Amanda of Bossier City, LA, granddaughter Courtney Polk of Harlan, KY, grandson Mason Polk of Harlan, KY, step granddaughter Shannon Monts of Wichita Falls, TX, step grandson Sean Monts and wife Heather of Lubbock, TX, great-grandson Gauge Roberts of Bossier City, LA and 5 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Earnest Duke Polk and Nettie Faye Shafer Polk; grandparents Claude and Bessie Arms Polk and Pearl Shaffer, and numerous dear aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mason Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Gooch Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday morning from 10 to 11:30a.m. prior to the service.