Ted Daves

Ted M. Daves, 65, passed away Sept. 18, 2012, in Martha Jefferson Hospital following a two year battle with cancer.

Ted was born April 15, 1947, the only child of the late Zeb V. Daves and Selma Philbeck Daves Bess.

Surviving are his mother, his spouse Joann Tuscano, his daughter Alecia Daves-Johnson and husband Gordon, grandchildren Zeb and Evelyn Johnson. He also leaves his first love, lifelong friend, and mother of his only child, Gwen Bridges Daves Hamlett; and Harold Bess, Hugh Bess, and Hilda B. Blanton, the children of George G. Bess, his mother’s late husband; uncle Ross Philbeck and aunt Madge.

He was predeceased by his aunt and uncle Coleen P. Bridges and John E. Bridges.

Ted grew up in Ellenboro and Mooresboro, NC, graduating with honors from East Rutherford High School in 1966. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 1970 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He started his career as a Test Engineer for Nuclear Service and Construction Company in Virginia performing shock and vibration testing to harden our warships against enemy attack. In 1976 he and two partners started HI-Test Laboratories, Inc. in Everett, Washington continuing combat ship shock testing. Under Ted’s leadership as company president, HI-Test grew into the largest company in the country doing underwater shock testing of naval combat vessels. Not only did HI-Test design and conduct unique tests of individualized pieces of equipment such as propulsion systems, missile launchers, and control consoles, they were also chosen by NAVSEA to conduct full scale testing in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico of entire ships, including the USS John F Kennedy, the USS Kidd, and others, and participated in NATO testing of experimental Surface Effects Ships and unique programs including tests of cruise missiles fired from submarines. HI-Test developed the largest vibration table in the world capable of shipboard vibration simulation of equipment weighing over 60,000 pounds. The David Taylor Naval Research and Development Center selected HI-Test to design and operate a testing facility for the development of ship hull designs and energy absorbing materials which resulted in double hull ship designs used in modern oil tanker ships; these materials greatly reduce the potential for spillage in accidents and reduce future environmental damage. Continued work on energy absorbing materials development led to patents for combat and non-combat ship hull designs and to development of speedway safety barriers for driver protection during high speed crashes. He considered his co-workers as part of his extended family and made life-long friendships that he cherished. In 2000, Ted sold his interest in HI-Test.

In 1986, Ted and a partner started Performance Counts Automotive, Inc, a company to develop and build specialty and high performance racing engines. Performance Counts engines have set several track records, won track and regional championships, and been installed in cars that have set world records through the nationally televised Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction.

As a teenager, Ted was often under the hood of or driving a race car. Since 2000, Ted has operated Sugar Hill Racing, Inc. a NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Team. Racing was his passion and he loved being a mentor to young racers.  While racing a limited schedule, the team won three pole positions and seven races in this very competitive series.

Ted always held his family close to share the good times, endure the hardships, and always pulled closer through the trying times. He was badly burned at age 14, but never harbored anger and resentment for the scarring and disfigurement he incurred. Instead he lived his life to the fullest without complaint, filling his life with compassion and love for others and generosity for his community. God bestows different gifts on each of us. In Ted’s case, He chose to give him a few extra ones. He gave Ted the gifts of acceptance, kindness, humility, honesty, intelligence, humor, sincerity, optimism, and love. He touched the lives of many and demonstrated how to live an honorable life.

The past six years were made especially sweet by his grandchildren. As an inventor, he was often creating unique toys for them. Ted was an avid story-teller who told stories with a twinkle in his eye and filled the room with his laughter. The gift of this gentle man will be missed by many.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville, Va. Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Sandy Run Baptist Church in Mooresboro with visitation following at the church. By Ted’s request, he will be buried next to his father.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sandy Run Baptist Church, PO Box 297, Mooresboro, NC; Shriners Childrens Hospital in Greenville, c/o Friendship Lodge #388 P.O. Box 831, Boiling Springs, NC 28017; or a local charity of your choice.