Ted Conrad: Through It All

By Carl Conrad

He was an ATHLETE, playing varsity sports in baseball, football, and basketball at Kelloggsville High School, where he also captained each team while winning nine varsity letters in four years of high school.

The LEAD SINGER of the HERALDERS QUARTET, a popular Southern gospel singing group that traveled to twenty-two states and released fifteen albums over a forty-two-year period while ministering about Jesus Christ.

He was a COACH who started the football program at Calvin Christian High School, where sportsmanship, fundamental skills, and self-confidence were understood to be an essential part of teamwork.

He was a BUSINESS OWNER who started as a gas station manager, became a salesman and a food broker, before building a multimillion-dollar business that successfully spanned four states.

He became a CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR to help transform his struggling church from near financial foreclosure to a healthy and growing membership with an inspired and zestful group of leaders.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449776664

Carl Conrad

Carl Conrad is a retired college Economics instructor who has contributed his writing to a variety of venues and has written many short stories, poems, and lengthy essays.  His earlier children’s fantasy novel, “Subtuberania” continues to be available as a timeless classic adventure story, while this book about Ted Conrad marks his first effort at a biography.  Carl lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and now, in retirement, enjoys his three private pleasures: reading, writing, and thinking.  Sports, good movies, theater, restaurants, and cooking round out his other personal favorites. Carl has two grown children of his own, Whitney and Evan, who are the apex of his life.  “Every pleasure and good thought I have ever had couldn’t sum up my feelings for them,” he says with great praise. “ They have been everything I ever hoped for in life – smart, courteous, thoughtful, resourceful, and enthusiastic.”

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Copyright © 2012 by Carl Conrad

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-7665-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7666-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7664-0 (dj)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012922040

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/11/2012

Contents

Preface

Chapter #1 – An Ordinary Man

Chapter #2 – Coaching

Chapter #3 – The Gift of Song

Chapter #4 – Family Life

Chapter #5 – An Entrepreneur

Chapter #6 – Faith

Afterword

Appendix i. Genealogy chart of the Conrad family

Appendix ii The Heralders Quartet Albums & Songs

About the author

An introduction to the book:

TED CONRAD: THROUGH IT ALL

This is the biography of a Christian man who, before he was 50, achieved the goals that many of us would consider successful only to find, over the course of the next 30 years, that he either lost or gave them all up.

Fame, fortune, and health were his at one time, but age, circumstance, and physical impairment reduced him to the essentials that brought him Through It All. He certainly did not become impoverished by his circumstances because he and his wife of 61 years, Bonnie, still live a very comfortable and greatly involved life with family, church, charity, and friends still very important to them.

But, it was this loss of so much while still maintaining his dignity, grace, humility, and optimism that first caught my attention as a writer. This is a man who is not bitter, not resentful, not even frustrated nor demoralized by these setbacks but is more grateful for the moments he has been given than resentful for those he has lost.

This is the story of a man who esteems the love of family, reveres the gifts of friendship, and is strengthened by a rich, steadfast belief in the glories and goodness of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

If you are looking for a book about someone who makes contributions without seeking praise, who leads by example not by putting others down, and who understands that the road the Lord has chosen for us is not smooth or unimperiled but seeks to make us better people, then you will enjoy this book because it is a story of gratitude for all that was given, not one of glory for what was achieved.

TED CONRAD: Through It All

The story of an ordinary man who had a life that

was extraordinarily successful and satisfying.

written by, Carl Conrad

The biography of a man who served in the Air Force, was a professional Christian gospel singer, a coach, a business owner, a church Administrator, a sportsman, a salesman, a family man, and always a man of Faith.

From Ted

This book is dedicated to the family I love.

to my precious wife:

Bonnie

to the children who have always made me proud of them:

Pamela, Ted Jr., Rick, Suzanne, Nanette, Bradley, and Sharron.

to the grandchildren who have blessed us all:

Chad, Marci, Ted III, Jennifer, Kate, Erin, Stephanie, Nicholas, Troy, Jason, Kara, Deena, Mandi, Rickie, Matthew, Andrew, Blake, Jaimee, Ashley, Colson, Donald, Kayla.

the great grandchildren who light our future with hope and energy:

Cody, Jake, Nevaeh, Zander, Alexis, Braydon, Dylan, Natalie,

Amaya, Greydon, Hadley, Brett, Laney, Carson, Elise, Landen, Audrey, Lacey, Wyatt, Beckett, Rylee, Emmalyn, Trace, Bryce, Josie, Cora, Brayah, Sophia.

and to the spouses who have been such an important part of it all:

Larry, Sandy, Loie, Craig, Tim, Linda, Collin, Jeff, Jill, Tim, Ryan, Doug, Lindsey, Stephanie, Brooke, Ross, Jeff, Joe, Sarah.

From Carl

I wrote this book with admiration for the many things Ted did, and with never-ending gratitude for the countless stories he shared with me. Also, with deep affection for my wife, Judy, who first introduced me to Ted, and who was always supportive of writing this book

Preface

by Carl Conrad

Not a sensational book

Let me say, right from the very start, this is NOT a book which is so sensational you will find your jaw dropping in disbelief at incidents and situations that are described in it, nor will there be circumstances so sad that you will find yourself crying remorsefully over the hardships and setbacks that have frequently intervened in this man’s life, because it was not meant to be that kind of book, and Ted did not lead that kind of life.

Often we read about people who have gotten themselves into situations that require near-miracles to save them. However, many times I wonder to myself if at least some of the peril they face might not have been avoided by a more prudent choice not to go where danger is so prominent or injury so likely. When someone attempts the sensational, it is often not surprising to find them praying for divine help and unqualified mercy when they fail or find themselves in impossible situations.

Ted Conrad’s story is not one of recklessness or sensationalism. It is unique because of its persistence not because of its spectacular risks or achievements. It is not through battles he won that his life is exemplary but through his determination never to give up. And, it is not through amazing achievements or narrow escapes that his story becomes compelling, but through the gifts that he has shared so fully and freely with those around him.

Through a series of nearly 40, 2 ½ hour interviews over a period of 18 months I interviewed Ted Conrad, asking him any questions I wanted to, so that we could lay out the milestones and many of the events of his life that were noteworthy. In addition, I met separately with his wife, Bonnie, on several occasions as well as his sons and daughters to get their impressions about him, and had the essential characters in his life fill out questionnaires about Ted. In the process, I think we were able to create a book that tells his story – truthfully and without embellishment – while capturing the essence of a man whom I would describe as fascinating, charitable, talented, honest, thoughtful, innovative, athletic, courageous, grateful, joyful, endearing, and loving.

As an example, Ted has been known by many names in his lifetime which sometimes playfully highlight his major accomplishments: 1) the Diaper King of Grand Rapids because of his unfailing persistence in selling, and providing wetness demonstrations, for private label disposable diapers in the Grand Rapids area for many years, 2) the Father of Calvin Christian Football because he took on the responsibility of coaching and starting the boy’s high school football program that was as concerned with building character and instilling sportsmanship in the boys as it was with winning games, 3) Dr. Death as a hunter who got a deer thirteen years in a row with only one deadly shot each year during deer season, 4) the Administrator of Newhall Community Church as he led a group of people to save the church from a forced foreclosure by assuming the responsibility for one of its major leadership roles, 5) MC and Lead Singer of The Heralders Quartet who cut 15 record albums, toured in 22 states, and performed for 42 years as they sang and ministered to bring their audiences to Jesus Christ, 6) Mr. Ted, the name that many of the athletes he coached called him 10, 15, even 25 years or more after they played for him because of a respect and closeness they still felt for him, and 7) Sponsor of the Year (1998 Hall of Fame) for the unprecedented success the Conrad Patterson Men’s Slowpitch softball team achieved by winning the Michigan State Class A title three years in a row (’89, ’90, ’91), and consistently fielding a team of quality ballplayers.

But, Ted also suffered some periods which set him back physically when he reached his late 50’s as he struggled into his later years with a stroke, six heart attacks, kidney stones, throat polyps, two very sluggish carotid arteries, broken ribs, sleeping difficulties, a stomach ulcer, and countless bruises and abrasions because his skin had become so thin and frail.

So the road he traveled hasn’t always been smooth and easy, but it has been long, steady, and rewarding. And, Through It All, Ted never lost sight of the blessings of Jesus Christ, nor felt as if he was unfairly chosen as the recipient of tests and challenges that were beyond his ability to endure. His greatest saving grace, he freely acknowledges, was that he never had to face these trials alone; there was always Bonnie, his family, his friends, his church, and a solid belief in the directions that Jesus Christ chose for him to follow.

The title of the book

It wasn’t until Ted and I had been working on this book for ten or eleven months that we finally settled upon a title for it. We had been using other working titles at different times just to have something to refer to, but we had never settled upon a final title. Then, one day, as we were working on the last chapter of the book and were talking about songs that had influenced Ted’s life, he remembered a song that he used to sing called Through It All.

As he told me a little about it, and I was writing things down in my notes, I said to him: Hey, you know that might be a good title for the book. He agreed, and the more we thought about it over the next couple of days, the more it seemed to perfectly sum up the journey he had been on, some of the challenges he had lived through, and the strength that he had always found in Jesus Christ. The lyrics go like this:

THROUGH IT ALL

I’ve had many tears and sorrows,

I’ve had questions for tomorrow,

There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong.

But in every situation

God gave me blessed consolation

That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

I’ve been to lots of places,

And I’ve seen a lot of faces,

There’ve been times I felt so all alone.

But in my lonely hours

Yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus let me know that I was His own.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains

And I thank Him for the valleys,

I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

For if I’d never had a problem

I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,

I’d never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

These thoughts seem to neatly sum up how Ted has faced the journey that he has been on for the 81 years he has lived so far. His life has had its ups and downs, its losses and discoveries as well as its challenges and uncertainties. But, Ted has always felt that God has been with him through even his darkest moments. This has given him immeasurable strength and resiliency that one man, alone, might never have been able to manifest.

Because he has found comfort, success, and meaning in the guidance of the Lord in the many steps of his life, Ted and I wanted to tell his story so that others could see how many things he was able to accomplish without holding malice or regret in his heart despite the many obstacles that often arose to challenge and limit his options. We believe he was able to do that by always honoring the Christian values that he learned, starting from the time when he was just a small boy.

1%20-%20The%20Ken%20Conrad%20family.jpg

The Ken Conrad family (clockwise from top left) Ken Sr., Ken Jr., Tom, Ted, Lois, and Grace (1940).

Chapter #1 –

An Ordinary Man

An overview of Ted’s life, including people who influenced him, his hobbies, and world events which took place while he was growing up; Air Force, sports, singing, early family, and a strong Christian faith.

An overview of his life

Ted Conrad’s story, in total, is not that of an extraordinary man but one of an ordinary man who used his very common gifts to turn his life into a gracious, bountiful, lasting legacy. It is a story about the life of a man who has been both resourceful and courageous, but it is also a story that esteems the love of family, reveres the gifts of friendship, and is strengthened by a rich, steadfast belief in the glories and goodness of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

This is the story of a man who has done many things in his lifetime, and who has done them well. His professional singing career with The Heralders, a very popular west Michigan quartet that brought southern gospel music and ministry together, spanned 42 years. His background as a top athlete at Kelloggsville High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, helped make him an excellent coach in football, basketball, and baseball as he pioneered local high school sports in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and even helped his sons bring together a national championship-contending men’s team in softball. His energy, reliability, and honesty also helped him rise from an enterprising salesman to be the owner of a multi-million dollar food brokerage business which grew by reinvigorating relationships with old customers as well as cleverly filling a niche demand to large stores for basic products like sugar, pie filling, and bottles of vinegar.

Adding to the impressiveness of this story is a more than 61 year marriage to his wife, Bonnie, that produced, at the time of the writing of this book, 7 children, 22 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren who honor Ted and Bonnie by the character, the courtesy, and respect they exemplify.

As he reached his late fifties, Ted also began to grapple with a succession of physical maladies – recurring kidney problems, a stroke, polyps on his vocal cords, and five heart attacks that took a great deal physically from him. But even these were unable to stop him in his tracks. His goal has always been to be a contributor, and he has done that with love, faith, and without complaint throughout his ever-evolving career.

This story will sometimes make you laugh because Ted and Bonnie believe that laughter has often been the medicine that helped them