Theodore 'Ted' Richard Porter

Theodore “Ted” Richard Porter, 76, of Othello, died Monday June 2, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family.

Ted was born on July 8, 1932, in Tenino, Wash. to Joseph and Beatrice (Williams) Porter. The family moved to Grandview in 1946, where Ted graduated from high school. He met Arlene Harries in 1951; they married in Prosser on May 3, 1952. Ted worked at Hanford as a laborer until he and Arlene married, then he went to work with her father as a painter. Over time he became a journeyman painter. Ted and Arlene moved to Othello in 1955. He and Arlene opened up Porter Paint and Decorating in 1969. Ted joined the Job Corps in 1970 as a painting instructor working out of Curlew, Wash. In 1971 they closed the store and a few years later the family moved to Curlew. The family thrived in Curlew, and spent many weekends back in Othello. They returned to Othello in 1982 when Ted was transferred to Moses Lake. Ted retired in 1994.

Ted enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He belonged to the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Quilters and created quilts for all of his grandchildren. Ted’s great passions were vegetable gardening in the spring and hunting in the fall. He looked forward to deer and elk season every year.

His parents, and his beloved wife Arlene precede Ted in death just four months ago. He is survived by his sons Hugh “Doug” (Debra) of Lemoore, Calif., and Bill R. (Danita) of Othello, his daughters, Linda D Bork of Othello, Debra (Pat) Hickman of Moses Lake and Jean (Rob) McIndoe of Othello, nine grandchildren, a sister Edith Roberts and a brother Jim Porter both of Olympia.

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Internment will follow at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel.

You are invited to sign the guest book and leave a note for the family at stevensfuneralchapel.com.