Senior News
By Myra Miller
Ted Wasmuth of Eunice is probably best recognized as past part-owner and manager of Hometown Loan, which was located at the corner of Vine St. and N. Second Street years ago. Wasmuth managed the loan company from 1973 until 1999. He and partners sold Hometown Loan in 1999 to Commercial Securities.
Wasmuth, 80, was born on October 1, 1928 to the late Walter and Priscilla Cousins Wasmuth of New Orleans. His siblings were an older brother, the late Walter Jr. and a younger sister, the late Betty Wasmuth LeForte.
He attended Sacred Heart Elementary, and Holy Cross High. He is a 1945 graduate of Warren Easton High in New Orleans.
After graduation he joined the Merchant Marines and U.S. Navy after World War II and remained four or five years. After being discharged, he served in the Naval Reserves where he reported once a month to Lake Charles.
Wasmuth married Johnnie Mitchell of Slidell in 1950. The couple divorced 25 years later. They have three children: Kent Wasmuth of Slidell, Keith Wasmuth of Pineville and Tara Wasmuth of Houston; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Johnnie died in 2005.
Wasmuth was employed at Community Finance Company in New Orleans during the early 1950’s as assistant manager.
He moved to Eunice in 1953 where he opened and managed the Pacific Finance Company, a branch of Opelousas-Pacific Finance, until 1973. The finance company was located on North Second Street.
Wasmuth married Ching Daigle on April 6, 1990. His family increased to two step-sons, one step-daughter, and seven step-grandchildren.
During his younger years, Wasmuth was an avid sailor where he sailed his boat in many parts of Louisiana and beyond.
He has sailed out of San Diego, Lake Arthur, Lake Charles and Biloxi. “We traveled by boat starting at Lake Arthur, then intercoastal canal all the way to Biloxi.” The Virgin Islands was another trip the couple sailed.
An automobile enthusiast, Wasmuth has owned and collected numerous cars, trucks and motorcyles of all makes, styles and years.
Wasmuth still rides a 2006 Indian motorcyle. He has once owned a DeLorean car, an electric car, and a 1936 Buick.
Wasmuth showed his cars at many car shows. Wasmuth said, “The DeLorean was my favorite and best car I owned. I purchased them, used them for a while, and then would sell them. We showed the DeLorean and electric car in Florida.”
In the early 1970’s Wasmuth along with Mitch Ashy and Wilson Moosa formed WAM Corporation. The franchise sold underground garbage containers.
“Back then some people used them to store away trash. Others burned their trash. There were no restrictions back then. It was not mandatory, this was optional. The franchise was sold in different states and the corporation lasted approximately four years. We sold more containers out of state than in state,” Wasmuth said. He added, “There were no city trash pickups during this time.”
As a hobby, Wasmuth hand-crafts wooden walking canes. He has many displayed in his Acadian Acres home.
Wasmuth was Chamber of Commerce President in 1960 and has been a Harmony Masonic Lodge 410 member in Eunice for over 50 years. He has also been a 32nd degree Masonic Lodge member in Lake Charles for 50 years. He was a member of the Eunice Rotary Club.
His love is his wife, family and his two Schnauzers, Demi, and Deuce.
Wasmuth laughed, saying, “My two dogs will be included in my will.”
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