Longtime Hood River resident Ted Silas Ekker died July 27, 2008, at home with his beloved family. Ted was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Fairview, Utah, the middle of three sons, to Henry Martin Ekker and LaVana (Cox) Ekker.

Ted’s father followed the mining industry from Utah to California before settling in Boardman, Ore., during Ted’s later school years.

When Ted’s older brother, Marty, joined the U.S. Navy, Ted talked his father into signing for him to join the Navy at the age of 17½ on April 3, 1942. He served in the Atlantic Theater in a PBY convoy-mission plane and then to the Pacific Theater in a PBY search and rescue-mission plane.

On Dec. 19, 1943, while attempting a rescue of a downed pilot, their plane crashed into huge waves that tore the wings off the plane. As the flight engineer, he was the last to leave the plane; but was able to toss life rafts and survival supplies to the other six crew members.

The rafts drifted for 30 hours toward Japanese-held islands before a Navy destroyer picked them up. Ted received a commendation for his “actions and leadership during the crash.”

He was very proud to have served in the Navy and was discharged Oct. 29, 1945, at Bremerton, Wash., with the rank of aviation machinist’s mate first class. Ted looked forward to having his service plaque on the Memorial Walk of Honor at Idlewilde Cemetery.

Returning to his father’s farm in Hood River, where he had moved during the war, one of Ted’s first jobs was through the State Apprentice Program at Windmaster Garage with owner Mel Lingren. Ted started the Ekker Implement Company with the Oliver Tractor Dealership.

When asked to relocate for a much-larger dealership in Idaho, Ted declined because he wanted his family to stay in Hood River. He then became shop foreman at the Colter Motor Company (Ford) and later shop foreman at C.M. and W.O. Sheppard.

On Dec. 19, 1948, Ted married Shirley Aileen Lee. They had two children, Patricia Lee and Jerry Martin, who were both born at Hood River Memorial Hospital.

While still working at Sheppard’s, Ted started helping Tom and Pearl Lee, his in-laws, on their pear and cherry orchard. He purchased the property in 1957 when Tom and Pearl wanted to retire to the coast. Over time, four of the adjacent neighbors asked him to lease or buy their acreage.

He farmed for many years and continued farming even after he became the maintenance superintendent for Diamond Fruit Growers, where he worked to create many of the hydraulic systems and the modernization of all the fresh fruit plants, greatly increasing their efficiency.

During these years he served on the boards of Diamond Fruit Growers, the West Side Fire Department (as well as a volunteer fireman for many years) and the Farmers Irrigation District.

Ted was a member of the Elks Club and American Legion Post 22 for 60 years. He was also involved in many school activities including FFA board member, Boy Scout leader and 4-H Tractor Club leader; and worked on the generator and water supply for Camp Yallani. He was also on the Hood River Airport Committee when it was owned by Hood River County and later the Port of Hood River.

His greatest pleasures were anything with his family. Ted skied, bowled, golfed, camped and helped his children with various projects, especially helping his son and daughter-in-law build their “real log” home. He also created many woodworking projects for family including a tree house for his granddaughters.

Ted skied with his family at the Cooper Spur Ski area and was also a member of the Ski Patrol. He was an ardent hunter for elk and deer and loved fishing for salmon and halibut, taking many trips to Alaska for the Juneau Salmon Derby.

Ted began flying when he returned from the service and enjoyed taking people on plane rides, including the farm crew after harvest. Ted sponsored for many years, starting with Group A, the Japanese Training Program and especially enjoyed taking them for country-wide tours.

Ted is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Shirley Lee Ekker; daughter, Patricia Lee Lumm and son-in-law, Bob Lumm, of Lake Oswego; son, Jerry Martin Ekker, and daughter-in-law, Jannine Tveidt Ekker, of Hood River; granddaughters Tifanie Lumm, of Lake Oswego, and Kristin Lumm, of Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Peggy Lee Mulligan, and her husband, John, of Douglas, Alaska; and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Marty and Farrel, both Navy World War II veterans; sister-in-law, Helen (Polly) Ekker, and nephew, Dane Ekker.

At his request, no funeral services will be held. A remembrance in conjunction with the disposition of his ashes will be observed at a later time. Memorials may be made to the West Side Fire Department or Heart of Hospice in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.