George Theodore Hepburn, Jr.

George Theodore "Ted" Hepburn, Jr., age 85, beloved husband of Carole Zook Hepburn, passed away on Tuesday, November 15th to Life Everlasting, surrounded by his loving family.  Ted and Carole celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year on July 14, 2016. He was born in Montclair, New Jersey October 11, 1931.  He graduated from Montclair High School in Montclair, NJ, and graduated from Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio.  He served in the United States Air Force. After serving in the Air Force, he began a very successful career in the radio, television, and the communications industry.

In the late 1930's when he was a boy in Montclair, NJ, his grandfather and great-uncle sold off parcels of their neighboring farm in Clifton, NJ to a group of businessmen who built a radio station.  It was to become one of the first beautiful music success stories: WPAT AM, Patterson, NJ.  "I was eight years old and would sit out in the pasture with a crystal set that my Father and I built.  There were still cows there, and I would listen to the radio station in the pasture at the bottom of the radio tower."  From that time on, Ted thought that he would like to get into that business and be one of those announcers that talk on the radio.  Ted's father always thought he would outgrow the business.  Early on, he knew himself well enough to realize that announcing was not where his true talents lay: "I sounded like a fourteen year old with his head in a bucket. In 1955, he moved to Lewistown, PA, and while working there for WKVA Radio he met the love of his life, Carole Zook Hepburn.  Ted and Carole resided in Lewistown until 1957 when he joined Susquehanna Broadcasting.  He was employed by Susquehanna until 1967 when he moved to become GM of Cincinnati Top 40 radio station WSAI.  After an attempt to acquire a radio station in 1969 in Roanoke, VA fell through, he went to work for the R. C. Crisler & Company, radio/television brokerage firm, for 7 1/2 years.  He started his own company, "The Ted Hepburn Company", on his 45th birthday in 1976.  His company became one of the top three media brokers in the country.  The Ted Hepburn Company was a longtime member of the National Association of Broadcasters.

Carole and Ted moved to Palm Beach, Florida in 1987 and resided there for 25 years, eventually returning to Cincinnati to be closer to family.  They were members of Club Colette, The Sailfish Club, The Wine and Food Society, and Royal Poinciana Chapel.  He served on various boards at The Royal Poinciana Chapel.  Carole and Ted were Chairpersons of the Bascom Palmer Heart Ball (1999) in Palm Beach.  Ted was also a board member of the Palm Beach American Heart Association.  They were also supportive of many philanthropic causes.  When they formerly resided in Cincinnati, he was involved with the American Heart Association while employed at WSAI, and was an active member of St. Paul UMC in Madeira, serving on various boards.

Preceded in death by his loving parents George and Mary Hepburn, and his loving sister Kathryn (Hugh) Iliff.   He is also survived by his loving brother Richard (Judy) Hepburn.  Ted was a loving father of Todd (Darlene) Hepburn, Heidi (Michael) Getoor.  He was a loving Grandfather of Jennie (Evan) Cunningham, Dustin (Amy) Hepburn, Chris (Lori) Getoor, Nate (Lara) Jebsen, Rachael (Nick) Kimmick.  Loving Great-Grandfather of Cole and Avery Cunningham, Grace & Lukas Hepburn, Finley Getoor, Isaac, Peter & Isabelle Jebsen, and Jonathan Kimmick.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

A Celebration of Ted's Life will be scheduled at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff members of Hospice of Cincinnati and Arden Courts for the compassionate care they provided to Ted and the family in his final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cincinnati chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at 644 Linn Street, Suite 1026, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45203 ( www.alz.org ), and Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 (hospiceofcincinnati.com).  Arrangements entrusted to Mueller Funeral Home, Mason, OH.  To share online condolences and additional details, visit MuellerfuneralS.com   (513)398-9100