Thedford "Ted" Shanklin, 1941-2007

Ted Shanklin had been with the Legislature's Post Audits division since 1978, and was in charge of the watchdog agency when he retired in August.

He put up with a lot during his tenure, including shoddy record keeping by state programs and lame excuses from public officials.

He died over the weekend at age 66. The Gazette has an obituary. It reveals that Ted not only served seven years in the Army and one tour in Vietnam, "he was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry, the Bronze Star with V for Valor and the Purple Heart."

Ted reached the rank of staff sergeant. He went to West Virginia State after his military service, "becoming the third ever African-American in West Virginia to become a CPA," the obit also said.

A memorial service will be held noon on Thursday, Feb. 7, at First Baptist Church of Charleston.