Obituary: Theodore “Ted” Gatz

Sunday, October 26, 2025, Theodore “Ted” Gatz, 99, joined his father, Samuel, mom Lela, sisters Norma and Evelyn, his spouse Dolly, and plenty of mates who’ve beforehand handed away.

Ted was born August 14, 1926, and grew up in Rainier Beach, Washington. After attending Franklin High School in Seattle, he joined the U.S. Navy throughout WWII. Ted was a Storekeeper 2^nd Class (SK2C) serving aboard the USS Fairfield (AK-178) within the Asia-Pacific Theater. For his service Ted acquired the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Ted attended Seattle College and the Northwest Photography Institute. In 1949, Ted started his images profession working at Mariner’s Studio in Renton, Washington. Ted was a “gifted” photographer and later opened “Ted Gatz Photography” in Renton. Ted specialised in Portraiture, Wedding, and Commercial images.

Ted joined Luella “Dolly” Morby in marriage on September 1, 1951. Ted was a beautiful father to his sons, William (a Vietnam veteran and graduate of Western Illinois University), Joseph “Jody” (who performed baseball for and graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho), and daughter Melody Ann (graduated from Kinman Business University). Ted would make a particular effort to attend William’s and Jody’s athletic video games, and he cherished the instances he would spend along with his daughter, Melody.

In 1979, Ted offered his Photography Business and have become a Real Estate Broker within the states of Washington and Idaho. A short while later, Ted and Dolly moved to Clarkston, Washington to be nearer to their youngsters.

In 1991, Ted and Dolly moved to Bozeman, Montana to spend their retirement near their daughter, Melody Sievert and her household. Finding retirement slightly boring, Ted began working part-time at Four Corners Hardware retailer in Bozeman the place he loved assembly and serving to folks.

Ted was an avid fisherman and expert in catching fish in saltwater and freshwater lakes and rivers. He was particularly keen on fishing the rivers on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Ted additionally loved spending his free time {golfing}. He would inform folks to get out on the golf course as a result of it’s going to preserve you feeling younger. It should have labored for him as he continued {golfing} effectively into his 90s. Ted was the oldest golfer at his favourite course, Cottonwood Hills Golf Club in Bozeman.

Theodore is survived by his son, William and his spouse Kaelene, son Jody and his spouse Kellie, daughter Melody and her husband Scott Sievert; 4 grandchildren, Selina, Shelby, Jesse, and Amber and her husband Sam; three great-grandchildren; and plenty of mates.

Following cremation, Ted shall be positioned subsequent to his spouse Dolly at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Special due to Gallatin Rest Home and Stillwater Hospice for taking such wonderful care of Pops!

Arrangements are within the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com [dokkennelson.com]