May 8, 1929 – February 5, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Ted Strother announces his peaceful passing at the age of 91. He is survived by his loving wife Mavis (Wardle), three daughters Shelley (John), Sheila (Dennis) and Susie (Rick), as well as two younger brothers, Bob (Yvonne) and Boone (Donna). He was pre-deceased by his younger brother Art. He leaves five grandchildren, David (Jenna), Michael (Hayley), Mark (Brenna), Amy and Karli as well as five great grandchildren, Sloan, Stella, Weston, Sully and Piper, several nieces and nephews and extended family.

Ted was born in Vernon on May 8, 1929. He lived all of his life in Vernon with the exception of time spent at UBC and a brief teaching stint in Kimberly. He loved the Okanagan and considered it to be “God’s country” and never had much desire to travel, except to Palm Desert where he and Mavis wintered for ten years. In October 1952, he married Mavis and began a rewarding career in education as a teacher at Seaton Secondary, vice principal at Harwood Elementary and principal at Len W. Wood Elementary in Armstrong. He was highly regarded by students and staff alike. Troubled there was no organized boys soccer in the Okanagan, he developed the Okanagan Elementary School Boys Soccer League while working at Harwood. He was very involved in Vernon track and field in the 60’s and coached a local athlete in hurdles, who went on to the Olympics. Over the years he curled, golfed, snowmobiled, volunteered, and gave generously of his time. He was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and sang for many years in various choirs and as a soloist at weddings and funerals. After his retirement from teaching Ted spent several years selling cars at the Honda dealership. He was a long time car enthusiast and discovered he enjoyed the challenge of sales. He and Mavis were regulars at the Rec Centre swimming pool and Kal Fitness, where he was active until he turned 90.

Ted was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle and a good friend to many. He had a sense of humour and was a great storyteller. Nothing gave him more pleasure than family gatherings at his home at Okanagan Landing where he lived on the lakeshore for more than 50 years. Summers were filled with swimming, boating and water skiing with his children and grandchildren. Ted was proud of his home, and maintaining his yard was both an obsession and a source of pleasure for him. He relished time puttering outside planting trees, moving trees and taking care of his property. Once his daughters left home he acquired a ride-on John Deere mower and could be seen mowing his neighbours yards and plowing their driveways in winter. He never missed an opportunity to help.

One of his grandchildren summed up the essence of his Papa in this way:

He was so unbelievably generous.

He gave time as an educator, coach, volunteer and most importantly he gave time as a dad, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather.

He gave money to support his family, our hospital and community through various charities.

He gave advice (solicited or otherwise)

One time he even gave half his index finger away to a saw.

All he ever wanted to do was help and give.

His heart was huge, yesterday it stopped.

Rest easy Papa

A family celebration of life will take place at a future date when it is safe to gather.

Arrangements in care of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, Vernon, B.C. 250-542-4333.