Theodore ’Ted’ Savage, 82, died July 11, 2002, at Heritage Court in Everett. He was born April 2, 1920, in Burlington to John W. Savage and Nellie Savage. Ted lived in Ballard most of his growing up years and graduated from Ballard High School in 1939.

Ted is from an old pioneer family that homesteaded in the upper Skagit Valley and still has many relatives living in the area. His father by his storytelling imbued Ted to think military and at 15 he joined the CMTC, at 17 the Navy Reserve at 21 the Naval Air Force. He became a Navy pilot and held his commission until after the Korean War. He served during World War II in the Pacific sector. Ted spent five years with the Seattle Police Deparment and then decided it was not for him. He then went to work for PNW Bell, a position he held for 25 years. He retired in 1979 and has had a long and happy retirement, albeit with chronic back pain.

His one big commitment in life was to try to make people smile and he succeeded.

Ted is survived by his loving wife Betty (Phillips) of 58 years; brother Dr. Bob Savage (Marion) of Mesa, Ariz.; two children, Robert (Skip) H. Savage of Wenatchee and Colleen Zellerhoff (Frank) of West Seattle; and two grandchildren, Christopher Savage of Shoreline and Jennifer Savage, now of North Carolina. Many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.

Services were held July 16 at Evergreen Funeral Home in Everett. Remembrances may be made to Heritage Court, 4230 Colby, Everett or Hospice of Snohomish County.