WILSON — The residents of Wilson reached out their collective hand Nov. 16 to help one of their own.

Nearly 400 bowls of soup were served for a free will donation at the Wilson American Legion that night to help Wilson’ s Ted Soukup with expenses related to his recovery from a severe stroke he suffered in October.

Soukup, 59, worked for the City of Wilson for 25 years, including several years as city superintendent, and has been a member of the Wilson Fire Department for 15 years.

Tye Soukup, Ted’s son, said his dad is doing well.

“He’s making progress slowly, but he’s coming along good,” Tye said. “We’re happy with his improvement. It’s only been a month, but he has come a long way.”

Ted is at a rehabilitation center in Inman.

“He’s doing as good as expected, I guess, after something like this,” said Tel Soukup, Ted’s other son. “He’s doing all right. There’s just going to be a long road ahead of him, and he is getting better by the day.”

Tye said his dad was used to being active and the goal of the rehabilitation is to give Ted as much of his active lifestyle back as possible.

“He’s ready to get back to somewhat of a normal life as he puts it,” Tye said. “He wants to be active and independent.”

Ted resigned from his job with the city several months ago to work as a contract employee for Hi-Plains Sand in Kanopolis and as a maintenance person at the Oneok Natural Gas Plant at Bushton.

“He was doing really well out there,” Tye said.

The day before his stroke, Ted helped Tye track a deer on Tye’s birthday.

Tel, who lives in Hutchinson, and Tye, who lives in Wilson, said they appreciate the community’s support of their father.

“I can’t thank the fire department and everyone else who had a hand in this enough,” Tye said.“It’s truly amazing how everyone came together and wants to help out. It makes you feel good that there is somebody there for you.”

Tye said he thought Ted would have liked to have been at the fundraiser.

“He’s where he belongs,” Tye said.“Deep down I know he’s thankful and he appreciates all the support from the community, family and friends.”

Tye said so many have reached out to his family in recent months.

“Honestly, with dad’s work at the city and being a lifelong resident of Wilson, I think you would be hard pressed to find somebody that dad hasn’t worked with or helped, or hasn’t affected their life one way or another,” he said. “We’ve had so many people rally around and help support anything we could possibly need at this point and come together for him. It’s been great.”

“We can’t thank everyone enough for all the help and for putting this on,” Tel added. “It’s amazing.”

Joe Soukup, first assistant fire chief for the Wilson Fire Department, said Ted was always one of the first to respond to fire calls.

“He’ll be irreplaceable,” Soukup said.

Soukup and Tye found Ted in his home after the stroke.

“It’s heart wrenching to see somebody go through what he’s going through,” Soukup said.“So you help out as much as you can. He ain’t going to give up and we’re all here fighting for him too — that’s why we’re doing this. I hope he comes through with a full recovery.”

Soukup said Wilson is a community that will always stick together.

“Everybody here has everybody’s back, no matter what happens,” he said.

“We’re just thankful he’s getting along as good as he is,” said Larry Langerman, Wilson fire chief.“He’s been with the fire department for years and is always there to help, whether it’s on fires or projects at the fire station. He’s one of them that always shows up.”

Cindy Heinze, president of the Wilson City Council, said it was great that the residents of Wilson came together to support Ted.

“There isn’t anyone around here that Ted hasn’t helped,” she said.“It shows there’s a lot of community support. He’s a great person and it’s wonderful to see everybody out and supporting him.”

Heinze said she hopes Ted works hard in his recovery and gets home soon.

“He’s been missed a lot,” she added.

Cards and well wishes for Ted can be sent to him in care of Tye Soukup, P.O. Box 12, Wilson, Kan. 67490.

"Everyone here has everybody’s back, no matter what happens."
Joe Soukup
Wilson Fire Department