Theodore James Stoughton

Theodore James Stoughton passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 7, 2023, following over three years battling ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Ted was born on August 21, 1948, in Columbus, OH and moved to Baden in 1964 with his family. He graduated from Rochester High School and then was drafted into the US Army in 1968 and served in Vietnam until 1972. He received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Meritorious Service Ribbon.
When he was stationed in Korea, near the DMZ, he met the love of his life Yong Yol Choe and they were married in Baden on September 27, 1973. For the next several years, Ted worked at the railroad as a machinist in Conway and returned to Korea on active duty with his wife and new daughter Jennifer. He left active duty with the Army in 1978 and continued working at the railroad (initially Conrail, which eventually became Norfolk Southern) and in the Army Reserves. Ted retired from the Army Reserves in 2008 with nearly 39 years of service as a First Sergeant and retired from the railroad in 2009 after 36 years of service. Due to his service in Korea and Vietnam, Ted was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, which was likely caused by active-duty military exposure to Agent Orange.
Ted was an avid “motorhead” and taught at a trade school, Technician Training School, in McKees Rocks from 1980 to 1990, while also working at the railroad and serving in the Army Reserves. He was also active with his union, was a chairman on his local zoning hearing board and was an active member of Ridge Pointe Family Church prior to his illness.
Ted loved his wife and family, especially his beloved “dumpling” Mavis Rose, his granddaughter. Beyond anything, Ted was a dedicated loyal father, friend and grandfather, always the first to help anyone with anything. Despite the hardships of his illness, Ted was always loving, generous, upbeat and devoted in his faith in God and his love for his family.
Ted is survived by his loving wife Yong, with whom he recently celebrated 50 years of marriage, as well as his daughter Jennifer, both of whom dedicated the last several years to providing him the highest quality caregiving so that he could remain in his home. He is also survived by his daughter Jacklyn, her husband Jarrod Bupka and their daughter Mavis. He is predeceased by his mother Mary M. Stoughton (Beals), father Donald L. Stoughton, sister Sundra K. Stoughton (Lewis) and brother Andrew D. Stoughton.
His family and friends will miss him beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the ALS Association webwpawv.alsa.org.
Friends will be received on Tuesday, October 10 from 1 pm until the time of the funeral service at 3 pm in the John Syka Funeral Home 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge PA 15003, with Pastor Tim Michaux from Ridge Pointe Family Church officiating. A post-funeral luncheon will take place at JW Halls in Aliquippa following the service. Anyone who wishes to attend the burial service is asked to meet on Wednesday, October 11 at 11:45 am in the funeral home parking lot, where the funeral procession will leave promptly at 12 pm for burial with full military honors at 1 pm at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

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