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Theodore John "Ted" Dittmer, Jr., 80, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, in Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake following years with Alzheimer's. He was born Sept. 15, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. His first few years were spent with his mom and grandmother while his father was away in the Pacific serving as a Seabee during WWII. He grew up in Necedah, Wisconsin and Chicago and Elmhurst, Illinois and after graduation from Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois in 1960, he joined the U.S. Air Force and become a radar technician. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for several years as a Volkswagen mechanic in Villa Park, Illinois and Spokane, WA. In 1970, he moved to the Grand Coulee area and worked for Tri City Auto Parts, Western Gas Co. delivering propane, and later for Boise Cascade in Creston, WA and Elgin, Oregon. Blessed with independence and wanderlust, he soon bought his own truck and hit the road as a long haul trucker for close to 25 years. After he was forced into retirement by health issues he became manager of Spring Canyon Cemetery for 10 years.

Ted was always a car guy and has built and rebuilt many cars in his lifetime. He also enjoyed motorcycles and has owned many. He raced stock cars at Eagle Track Raceway in Republic and at the Ephrata track. In his earlier years he raced motorcycles and did auto cross in Spokane. He also enjoyed weekends with the family boating and water skiing. Ted was a lifetime member of the American Legion, a member of the Grand Coulee Community Church and was a member of the Coulee Cruizers Car Club in Grand Coulee until they disbanded. In 2001 Ted, his wife and several of his church members, served as missionaries in Baja, Mexico.

Ted is survived by his wife of 54 years, Darlene; one son John (Jinger) Dittmer of Spokane and Maricopa, Arizona, two grandsons, Derek (Mariah) Dittmer of Chambersburg, PA and Jared Dittmer of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He has two great grandsons, Theo and Eli Dittmer of Chambersburg, PA.

Ted was always a strong Christian man with his own ideas and convictions. He will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, at 11am in the Grand Coulee Community Church in Grand Coulee. Donations may be given to the Grand Coulee Community Church, PO Box 605, Grand Coulee, WA 99133 or the American Legion Post 157, PO Box 264, Electric City, WA 99123.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratefuneral.comfor Ted's family. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee is caring for his family.