Teddy Noirfalise

Remembering an Ornery Cabool Icon

Teddy “Ted” Joe Noirfalise was born on May 6th, 1941, to Phyllis and York Noirfalise in Texas County Missouri. He departed this life on September 10, 2026, at the age of 85.

After graduating from Cabool High School in 1959 he met the love of his life, Kathleen May Noirfalise. They were married on January 24, 1963 at the Church of the Brethren; they had 2 children, Kimberly Gay and David Scott.

Ted was a hardworking man, a loyal friend, and a proud member of the Cabool community. He lived most of his life in Cabool, a place he loved deeply, and he leaves behind a legacy of dedication, friendship, and service to the community he called home.

Ted spent his 45 plus year career with DFA formerly MidAm from August 1960 thru May 2006. Through his strong work ethic and many years of overnight shifts he worked his way into the position of Production Manager. He earned the respect of everyone he worked with, and that respect continued long after his career ended. The family would frequently encounter people who had worked with or for Ted, and they always had wonderful things to say about him. His reputation as a hard worker and a good person was something he proudly carried with him throughout his life.

Ted was a loyal supporter of all things Cabool. He loved his community and was especially passionate about the Cabool Bulldogs. He traveled near and far to support the teams and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on. His love for the school went beyond sports. Ted served on the Cabool School Board for several years. He stepped away after his children had graduated, but he later became concerned about the direction of the school district and chose to run for another term in his 70s and was appointed as board president. He cared deeply about the future of the school and wanted to play a part in making it better.

Ted's Bulldog pride was serious business. He was particularly passionate about the school colors and was adamant that the color black should never find its way into an alternate Bulldog uniform. It was one of those things about Ted that his family and friends will always remember and smile about.

Ted and Kathy shared many wonderful years together and enjoyed life to the fullest. They loved going to local bars to two-step, spending time with friends, and enjoying a cocktail. They traveled with friends for golf tournaments and all-inclusive trips and enjoyed countless evenings at the Midway and other local establishments playing cards, corn hole, and simply having fun together. He loved sitting on the deck in the mornings and evenings with family and friends, enjoying conversation and the company of those he loved. Even after his stroke affected his ability to converse, he enjoyed when his children took him to the Midway simply to hang out. He didn't need to say much to enjoy himself. Being surrounded by familiar faces and people he loved was enough.

Golf was another great love of Ted's life. He was a founding member of Wedgewood Country Club and dedicated countless hours and dollars to helping keep the course running and looking beautiful. The Thursday/Saturday Big Game was a must for Ted. His love of the course carried on a family tradition, as his father, York, had been a greens keeper. Ted loved more than just playing golf, he loved sharing the game with others. He enjoyed spending time on the driving range teaching new members, young people, and anyone who was learning the game. After Kathy passed, golf continued to bring Ted happiness. He stayed involved in the weekly Cat and Dog leagues at Randall and Wedgewood. Ted also had a special group of friends who gathered many mornings for breakfast at The Grove. Those breakfasts became an important part of his routine and grieving process.

Ted also loved fishing. He made numerous fishing trips with his brother Terry and friends throughout the years and enjoyed nothing more than a good fish fry afterward. Ted loved his brothers, Terry and Ronnie. In his later years, he especially enjoyed when Terry and Lorrie would pick him up and take him on car rides. He also loved the excursions his children took him on when they came home, specifically to visit the places he and Kathy had enjoyed together.

Ted had a lifelong love of cars and was a true muscle-car enthusiast. He especially cherished his 1965 Mustang before eventually selling it. Those who knew him also heard plenty of stories about Ted's younger years and his reputation as a bit of a wild character—including, apparently, a particular fondness for burning out tires.

Ted could spend hours in the driveway rebounding a basketball, whether it was 100 degrees outside or 20 degrees with snow on the ground. Ted took great pride in his yard and kept it looking its best. He spent countless hours mowing, trimming, and caring for his property—and, true to his generous nature, he often took care of his neighbors’ yards and leaves. Of course, keeping his yard looking so nice came with one particular challenge: the squirrels. Ted took great pleasure in protecting his carefully tended yard from them, and shooting squirrels became one of his favorite deck hobbies.

In later years faith became an important part of Ted’s life because he wanted to reunite with Kathy in Heaven. He was baptized on June 9, 2019 at First Day Free Will Baptist.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and York and his wife Kathy. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Tim Tribolet of Kansas City, MO; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Lynn Noirfalise of Raymore, MO; his grandchildren, Nicholas Andrew, Emily Elizabeth (Benjamin), McKenna Kate (Adam) and Preslee Paige; his bothers, Ronnie (Patty) and Terry(Lorrie) and many relatives and friends.

The family wants to extend a special thank you for your support to all the family and friends who were there for the good times and the sad times.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, Missouri.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Wedgewood Country Club from 2pm to 4pm on September 26th, 2026. The celebration will be informal with an opening reading of the Obituary, a Prayer and an opportunity for people to share stories and memories of Ted. If anyone has a story and is uncomfortable getting up in front of people, please feel free to send it to the family in writing via Facebook messenger, text or give it to us that day and someone will read it on your behalf. Dress is very casual. If you have it and want to, wear bulldog blue and white. Please feel free to drop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm to share stories and reminisce with the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Wedgewood Country Club, First Day Church, 701 Hickory St, Cabool, MO 65689 or the Cabool Education Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.