Theodore "Ted" Edmund Fajen III

          Memorial Services for Theodore Edmund “Ted” Fajen, III, 71, of Lufkin, Texas, will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cyprian’s Columbarium with Reverend Ashley Cook officiating.

          Mr. Fajen died Monday, June 22, 2026, in Polk County, Texas, coming back from a trip to Houston. He was born May 20, 1955, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Theodore Edmund Fajen, Jr. and the late Alice (Kieckhefer) Fajen.

          While at Rollins College, Ted followed his undergraduate degree with a Master of Business Administration. He was a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. He worked for many years in the food industry, first working every station at the 5-star Ratzch’s restaurant in Milwaukee, and later as manager in the Gallagher’s Steak House chain in Texas.

          Throughout life he was a true outdoorsman who loved quail and dove hunting, taking care of his hunting dogs, and fly fishing. He was a connoisseur of craft beer and was an excellent cook. He was famous for his scratch-made gingerbread and his Christmas meals. Ted was also a big fan of Hallmark movies.

          He is survived by his wife, Valerie Fajen of Lufkin; son, Nicholas Fajen of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Patricia Fajen of Woodbridge, Virginia; sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Peter Chang of Washington state and their sons Alex and Patrick; and his brother William Fajen of Florida.   

          Mr. Fajen was preceded in death by his parents.

          Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Fajen, Peter Chang,  Garry Kelley, Jeff Horn, Rand Krikorian, and Clyde Horton.

       Special memorials may be made to Galveston Bay Foundation at www.galvbay.org; Coastal Conservation Association at www.ccatexas.org/donate; and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust at www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/donation-options .

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.