Theodore "Ted" Conrad

Theodore “Ted” Charles Conrad Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Spartanburg on the afternoon of Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the age of 84.

He was born on June 25, 1937, to parents Theodore Charles Conrad Sr. and Mary Gilby Conrad in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Myers Park High School, Mars Hill College, and Pheiffer University before settling in Spartanburg to expand the family CPA firm Conrad, Hoey, and East from Charlotte, North Carolina, to the upstate of South Carolina.

He loved his adopted state. He was an avid University of South Carolina Gamecock fan and was a significant fundraiser on behalf of its athletics teams. He was also instrumental in bringing the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas football game to Spartanburg, volunteering year after year to ensure its success.

As a founding partner of Conrad and Company CPAs, he was a maverick and an advocate of entrepreneurship and hard work. A strong believer in the American Dream, there is nothing he enjoyed more than helping his clients growing their small businesses into thriving enterprises. He was a member of the South Carolina Association for CPAs and a lifetime member of the American Institute of CPAs.

He was a man of varied interests. He participated in the National Guard for over a decade, was the President of the USC Spartanburg Rifle Club, and held several offices at Westminster Presbyterian Church, including Treasurer and Deacon. He also enjoyed the finer things in life including travel, wine, and outings at the Spartanburg Piedmont Club.

Out of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Patty Conrad. Throughout their lives, they were active in the local community, including in Westminster Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

He will be remembered for his charisma and generosity by his three children, Charles Conrad of Spartanburg (Susan), David Conrad of Spartanburg (Catherine), and Natalie Williams of Lexington, KY (James); by six grandchildren, Stephen Conrad of Spartanburg (Betsy), Laura Brown of Spartanburg (Stephen), Emily Conrad of Beijing, China (Tian Ai), Marianna Conrad of Greenville, John Williams of Eugene, OR (Jordan), and Mary Grace Williams of Lexington, KY; and by two great-grandchildren, Jack and Tess Conrad.

He is also survived by four sisters: Mary Jo Cresimore of Raleigh, NC; Carolyn Trapp of Hendersonville, NC (Vann); Virginia Herran of Charlotte, NC (Peter); and Doris Wells of Boston, MA (Charles); as well as by brother-in-law, Lou Trosch of Charlotte, NC (husband of the late Minette Conrad Trosch).

The family is grateful for the numerous healthcare workers who provided attentive physical and moral support to Ted throughout the final years of his life.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 309 Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307 at 2:30 pm, conducted by The Rev. James Williams. Visitation with the family will take place at the church beforehand from 1:00-2:30 pm. The church ceremony will be followed by a private graveside service for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304, or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel