Lawyer "Ted" Polk

Lawyer “Ted” Polk was born in Dermott, Arkansas to Lawyer and Daisy Gordon Polk. He later relocated to the Chicago-land area as a young teen. He received an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army with the rank of PFC (Private First Class). He strongly felt that the Army taught him the value of helping others and putting their needs first. Ted joined St. Mark United Methodist Church in 1993 under the leadership of Dr. Myron F. McCoy. Later the same year, he joined St. Mark’s Usher Board and remained an active member until his health failed. After 30 years of service, Ted retired from the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management. Retirement gave him more time to serve others with his handy-man skills, gave him more time to bowl, more time for gardening, and definitely more time with his grandsons. Their time with granddad has become a treasured memory. Lawyer did not like his first name so he changed it (without appropriate authorization) to Ted. Ted Polk was his favorite paternal uncle who was a father figure, role model, and friend. Ted was without pretense. He was genuinely concerned for others and often went out of his way to help whether the person in need was a friend, family, neighbor, or a stranger. He expected nothing in return for the help that he provided. He was a virtuous man with a pleasant personality that was contagious. He was humble, kind, quick to forgive, fun-loving, and unbelievably patient. He strongly believed that “we have to help each other”. Modest recreational activities brought him great enjoyment. He loved going to Route 66 Raceway for Drag Racing Events (National Hot Rod Association/NHRA), gardening, traveling, bar-b-cuing, and playing Bid Whist. He was an avid bowler with a bowling average over 200. Many times, he joined three leagues in one season. He appreciated meeting people and never met a stranger in his life. To meet Ted was to love Ted. Ted departed this life in the comfort of his earthly home on Monday, October 09, 2023. His wife Joyce and his bonus daughter Tracey surrounded him as he laid in the arms of his “bonus” son, James. Ted’s father, mother, one sister, granddaughter, two nieces, and a nephew preceded him in death. Surviving family members include Joyce Polk, his wife of 30 years; his daughters Nadine Trotter, Gwendolyn Wills, and Deonne Smith; bonus daughters: Cindy Sam Hancock, Diane (Lonnie) Hinton, Tracey Pickett, and Daphne Sam; sons Theodore Polk and Michael Williams; bonus son James (Lori) Pickett; ten granddaughters, two grandsons, four bonus grandsons Brandon Paschal, James (Tia) Pickett, Jaquan (Lenore) Pickett, Cameron Pickett; one great grandson,twobonus great grandsons; James III, Legend, two sisters Jeraldine Williams and Ernestine Walker; one brother Willie Earl Polk; sister-in-law Cherry (Joseph) Prevost; three brothers-in-law Anderson (Patricia) Yancy, Joseph Yancy, and Johnell (Ella) Yancy; an aunt Birdie Polk, nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of friends including his devoted friends from the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management. Ted is not truly gone. His spirit lives on in the memories of those who truly loved him.

Lawyer "Ted" Polk

August 12, 1937 - October 9, 2023