Theodore Wilhelm

Theodore George Wilhelm passed away March 17, 2022. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, April 10th2022 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5825 Ft. Henry Drive in Kingsport Tennessee. Palm Sunday church services will be held at 11:00am followed by lunch and family visitation at 12:30pm. The service will commence at 2:00pm.

Theodore, known to family and friends as Theo or Teddy, was born on April 24, 1951 in San Mateo, California. He and his wife, Jackie James moved from the Bay Area in California to Kingsport in December 2021 to be near family during the final months of his life.

He was preceded in death by his father Theodore L. Wilhelm, his mother Ellen Hansard (Vanderpool) and his sisters, Theresa and Beth. Teddy is survived by his wife, Jackie James, his uncle, Rodney Wilhelm, his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Price, sister-in-law Lyn Nalett and many, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Teddy graduated from McLane High School in Fresno California and University of California Santa Barbara. Theo, as he was known to his fraternity brothers, was a member of Theta Delta Chi Psi Triton. While in college Teddy enjoyed surfing, sailing and other water sports.

After college graduation Teddy pursued his passion for outdoor activities while working for the National Park Service first as a paramedic then as a federal law enforcement officer in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. An avid rock climber and hiker he scaled Yosemite’s famed Half Dome as well as hiking the whole of the Sierra Nevada Muir Trail.

After leaving the Park Service, Teddy embarked on a new career in Information Technology. He enjoyed the last fifteen years of his second career in the city that held his heart, San Francisco. Working in the financial District of San Francisco he was able to enjoy his favorite city while still accessing outdoor activities in his beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as indulging in his love of the ocean.

Teddy lived a good life, was deeply loved by his wife, and went to his rest with his Lord Jesus Christ peacefully.