Teddy 'Ted' M. Johnson

MISSOULA — Teddy “Ted” M. Johnson, 74, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at the Village Sub-Acute Rehab Center in Missoula ending his six-month struggle to get back to work.

Ted’s life journey began in the Bird house east of Ronan on Sept. 21, 1932. His parents were Martin and Beulah (Evans) Johnson, who began ranching east of Ronan in 1929.

Ted attended school in Ronan and graduated from Ronan High School in 1950. The stories from Ted’s high school career are many and colorful, especially the ones involving him and his Jeep.

Ted began playing the drums when he was six years old. At that time he began marching in local parades with the band. Starting in eighth grade and continuing through high school, Ted played with Allard’s band at dances around the Ronan area.

On Sept. 15, 1950, Ted married Mary Clark in Ronan. The couple moved to Seattle in 1951 and Ted went to work for Boeing. Their daughter Laurell was born in Seattle.

They returned to Ronan in 1952 and Teddy Lynn was born there. In 1954, the moved to Las Vegas and lived there until they divorced and Ted returned to Ronan with their children.

On Aug. 5, 1956, Ted married Virginia Mitchell in Missoula. Their daughter was born in 1957.

On Feb. 25, 1962, Ted married Shirley Grimes Hicklin in Missoula. Their son Marty was born in 1962 and Ted adopted Shirley’s daughter Terry, completing their family.

Ted started his sales career in the late 1950s working first for Superior Sales and then for Acme Chemical Company.

His territory included northeastern and southwestern Montana and northern Wyoming.

In 1960, Ted and his brother-in-law started Johnson Brothers Building Maintenance and Supply. They became a distributor for Acme and expanded into the janitorial business.

Johnson Brothers closed their doors in 1989 and Ted went to work for Big Sky Supply, a company formed by his former employees. He continued to sell in the same territory to the same customers he had worked with over the yeas. He was still employed by Big Sky when he died.

In 1961 Ted went back to playing the drums with Dick and Mardy Lockwood and the “Rhythmaires.”

He continued to play for dances with them until the late 1980s when he quit so he could spend more time with his family at the cabin on Elbow Lake.

Ted was an active member of Missoula Aerie #32, Fraternal Order of Eagles for 47 years. He started marching in the Aerie drill team in 1964, competing at state and international conventions for 15 years.

When the drill team was restarted in 1989 Ted was their snare drummer.

He was president of the local Aerie and went through the state Aerie offices. He served as State Aerie president in 1997-98.

During his year as president, Eagles throughout the state raised over $30,000 for the Hospice House on Mullan Road in Missoula. Ted worked as a fundraiser for numerous other Eagles charities.

Ted was one of the Aerie members involved in the establishment of the Missoula Manor Homes in 1972. He sat on the board of directors for 18 years and continued to help raise fund for the facility.

He donated the first $5 to start the Missoula Manor Homes Endowment Fund.

In 1999, Ted was diagnosed with kidney disease and faced the tough decision about starting dialysis. With the determination that was so much a part of Ted, he continued his selling career while traveling through his seven-year journey down the dialysis path. He and his wife Shirley continued to work his territory, traveling when they wanted. He dialyzed all over the country and never missed a treatment in those seven years. Ted never let his condition rule his life.

He was a great advocate for organ donations and he and his wife spoke about it often.

Ted loved spending time with his family and playing cards.

He looked forward to the weekend gatherings at the family cabin at Elbow Lake. During the past several years the family celebrated the holidays at the cabin and held large family get-togethers sharing memories, good times and many card games.

Ted was a very social person and loved people. His unconditional love and respect was bestowed on everyone he came into contact with — family, friends and business associates. We all learned many lessons of life just by being with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Isla Bryne.

He is survived by his wife Shirley and children, Laurell Watson of Whitefish, Lynn (Judy) of Chester, Markeita (Dave) Snell of Hamilton, Terry (Jeff) Martin-Denning of Mesa, Ariz., Marty (Dawn) of Missoula; grandchildren, Rob Gallimore, Lindsay Caudle, Skee Evjen, Brian Johnson, Curtis Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Celena Johnson, Travis Martin, Dani Johnson and Trenton Johnson as well as great-grandchildren.

Burial has taken place. A memorial service was held Feb. 10 at the Eagles Aerie Home in Missoula.

The family suggests memorials be made in Ted’s name to Missoula Manor Homes Endowment Fund, c/o Joyce Anderson, 909 W. Center, Missoula, MT 59801, or to the charity of one’s choice.