Tibor Kecxon

Tibor “Ted” Kecxon passed June 7th, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ted is survived by Mary, his wife of 38 years, his daughters Carol and Cheri and son Terry, their spouses, and children. He is also survived by Mary’s children Pam, Susan and Stephen, their spouses and children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons Ted and David and ex-wife Margaret.

Ted was born June 17th, 1923, to parents Irene and George Keczan in Hungary. He migrated to Canada with his mother when he was seven years old. Ted and his mother lived on a farm picking tobacco as indentured servants, however the farmer recognized Irene’s culinary talents and had her cook for the workers. With the new job they were permitted to live in the farmer’s home, and no longer worked in the fields.

They earned their freedom and moved to Hamilton, Ontario. They bought the Hallen Marsh farm, and in one year they made enough money to buy two houses. Ted became an apprentice tool and die maker, and that became his life-long trade. Long after assuming his trade, Ted and his mother continued in business together. They sold the two houses and the farm and bought an apartment complex that included a deli. Throughout his life as a tool and die maker he continued to build and remodel homes and apartments, wrote music, song lyrics, poetry and was constantly inventing something interesting.

Ted married Margaret Bogden in 1952, and they had two children while living in Canada. The family immigrated to California in 1959, and they had three more children. Ted and Margaret later divorced.

Thirteen years later Ted reconnected with Mary Gerzeli. They soon married and had a wonderful marriage together. They worked well together, and he found much joy in Mary’s family.

Thanks to Mary’s influence, Ted was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His daughter Carol and son Terry also converted. After the fall of communism, He and Mary served an LDS couples mission where they opened the church’s Hungarian mission. They spent time traveling, at concerts, the theater, dancing, working together and bowling. Ted was an avid golfer.

The marriage wasn’t all fun and entertainment. Ted and Mary worked very hard together, with most of the work being on rental and investment properties. Ted also spent time working on properties for the children of both families. His latest project was helping Pam’s husband Scot with his remodel. He often spoke of how he appreciated the love and respect he received from Mary’s family.

Ted and Mary loved each other very much and Mary was by my dad’s side as his companion, friend, wife and caretaker until the end. Our family is so grateful for the love and support Mary and her family have shown my dad and our family through the years. We are especially grateful for the kindness and compassion they demonstrated in Ted’s final days before his passing. Ted is in a better place where we know he is having a great time visiting with his family and friends.