Ted H. Barclay

Theodore Howard "Ted" Barclay, 83, of Granville died Friday, January 31, 2014 at Kendal at Granville. He was born April 22, 1930 in Zanesville, Ohio to the late James and Esther (Young) Barclay.

A 1952 graduate of Ohio State University, Ted participated on the swimming team, the soccer and lacrosse clubs, and other activities, and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (whose chapter at Denison University he later supported as faculty advisor). Rooting for Buckeye athletic teams remained a lifelong passion for him. He also earned a Master of Education degree in 1962 from Kent State University.

Ted served for 35 years as an Associate Professor of Physical Education, coach of several sports, and administrator at Denison University, retiring in 1997. He launched Denison's men's swimming program upon starting at Denison in 1962, and headed the program for 18 years. He also coached the men' soccer team for 25 years. In both sports, he achieved high levels of success at the conference and national levels. In 1979, he became Director of Men's Athletics, a post he held for 12 years. During his tenure in that position, he played a significant role in founding the North Coast Athletic Conference, in which Denison's teams continue to compete today. He also served one-year stints as interim head coach of men's lacrosse and tennis, and later headed the women's soccer team for 4 years and men's golf team for 14 years, even continuing his golf coaching responsibilities for 6 years after retiring. Following his retirement, he was formally honored by being inducted into Denison's Athletic Hall of Fame and by the dedication of Barclay-Thomsen Field (named for Ted and his close friend and longtime Denison men's lacrosse coach, Tommy Thomsen).

For 8 years prior to his time at Denison, Ted was a teacher and coach in the Shaker Heights (Ohio) school system, during which time he headed the Northeast Ohio Swimming Officials Association and spent Friday evenings during the Fall as a high school football official.

Along with education, Ted's other long-term professional commitment was to the U.S. Navy. After serving a year of active duty in 1949-50 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge, he served his country for over 30 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring at the rank of Captain. Afterwards, he continued to support the Navy as a "Blue and Gold Officer" recruiting representative for the U.S. Naval Academy. He also spent 4 summers as an instructor at the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI.

Outside his professional pursuits, Ted lived an active life devoted to family, community, and fitness. Over the years, he spent his Summers in a variety of pursuits, including helping run boys' summer camps, managing local pools, and training Peace Corps coaching volunteers. He greatly enjoyed watching (and often helping to coach) his sons' athletic teams, and later his grandchildren's teams as well. Very proud of his Scottish heritage, he became a member of the Scottish American Military Society, representing Clan Barclay at numerous events across the Midwest in recent years. He was a longtime member of the Centenary United Methodist Church, longtime active member and former president of the Rotary Club of Granville, founding member of the Granville Recreation Commission, and one of the driving forces behind starting youth soccer in Granville. He and his wife Pat were active in other local volunteer and charity causes, and were regular attendees at local plays, concerts, and other entertainment events. After his coaching career, he became a soccer and lacrosse referee, and resumed swimming officiating. In 2012, in a case of fascinating symmetry, he officiated Denison's final meet in Gregory Pool a