Teddy V. Ellis
June 10, 1934 - Jan. 27, 2024
Teddy Vinson Ellis, 89, of Woodway, Wash., passed away Jan. 27, 2024, at The Courtyard at Cristwood in Shoreline, Wash.
Ted was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, on June 10, 1934, to parents, Alfred Ellis and Suvella (Knight) Ellis. He had an older sister, Donna, and an older brother, James. A few years later, sister Andrea joined the family.
They eventually moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where Ted went to high school. Afterward, he was a proud member of the Army's 82nd Airborne.
Upon leaving the Army, Ted pursued a degree in electronics through the GI Bill. A job with the Federal Aviation Administration as a systems engineer brought him to Seattle, where in 1958, he met and married Joan Zeitler. The following year, they welcomed twins Douglas and Michael into the family. Stephen and Greg joined them in the ensuing years.
In 1969, Ted married Lee Konopasek, gaining stepdaughters Patricia and Janet.
After 20 years with the FAA, Ted retired in 1976, embracing new adventures as a rancher, a business owner and a King County employee. His diverse career path showcased his resilience and adaptability.
Ted enjoyed traveling to favorite places such as Semiahmoo, Leavenworth and Long Beach, Wash., and visiting friends and family in California and Idaho.
Westerns were his favorite TV programs, with "Gunsmoke" at the top of the list. Dogs were a big part of his life, too, especially wire-haired fox terriers.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Suvella Ellis; a sister, Donna Tompkins; a brother, James Ellis; a son, Stephen Ellis; and former wives, Joan and Lee.
He is survived by his life partner of 39 years, Linda Hope Lee, and their fox terrier, Pearl. Also surviving are his sister, Andrea Moody; sons Douglas (Paula), Michael and Greg (Martha); stepdaughters Patricia Howard and Jan Santora Farrar; grandchildren Amanda (Shawn) Prather, Riana (Aaron) McNeely, Malori Ellis (Cory) Marvin, Rebecca (Franklyn) Sigston, Alyssa (Evan) D'Huart, and Clarissa (Justin) Jeffers, Garrett James Ellis and Ryan Gregory Ellis. Great-grandchildren are Taylor Ann Prather, Carter Anthony and Mia Grace McNeely, Payton Rae and Madelyn Grace Marvin, Zion and Makena D'Huart, and Jaxon and Axel Jeffers.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Courtyard at Crista and the King County Providence Hospice for their skilled and compassionate care of Ted while he was in their keeping.
Ted's legacy lives on through the memories of his service, his professional accomplishments, and the love he shared with family and friends. He will be interred in the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery and Columbarium, Edmonds, Wash.
May he rest in peace.
Donations in Ted's memory may be made to any veterans organization or to PAWS.