Theodore George Jenes Jr.

Retired Army Lieutenant General Theodore G. Jenes Jr., 93, passed away May 2, 2023, in Shoreline, WA. He was born February 21, 1930, in Portland, OR, to Theodore and Mabel Jenes. Theodore was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Jenes, sons Ted Jenes and Mark Jenes, parents Theodore and Mabel Jenes, and his brother, Jack Jenes. He is survived by his daughters in-law Ann Jenes and Jean Jenes, grandchildren Eric Jenes and family of New York, Adam Jenes and family of Colorado, Caitlin Hennebeck and family of Oregon, and Daniel Jenes and family of Washington.

While born in Portland, Ted spent the majority of his youth in Seattle, where he attended Lincoln High School, which is where he met his future wife, Bev. Always a great storyteller, Ted could recall the exact moment he realized he should ask Bev on a date—and every detail of that first date. After graduating from Lincoln High, he enrolled at the University of Washington but soon felt the call to join the US Army after losing several friends in the Korean War. He enlisted as a private in 1951, completed Officer Candidate School in 1953, and rose through the ranks of the US Army. He was an Airborne Ranger, held many important command and staff positions, and retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant General, the highest rank ever achieved by an enlisted soldier at the time of his retirement. His military career took him and his family across the US and as far as Germany; his individual missions took him to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central America. After his retirement from the Army, Ted served as the general manager of the Seattle Tennis Club for several years before permanently retiring.

As his successful career shows, Ted was a man who believed in fully embracing anything he undertook, and his hobbies were no exception. Ted was an avid runner, completing dozens of marathons (including the Boston marathon several times), a 100km race, and other impressive races. He skied into his 60s, and when skiing and running were no longer an option, he took up a hobby that would become a major passion of his retirement: golf. The hobbies provided him an opportunity to spend more time with his family as he ran with his sons and skied and golfed with Bev (along with anyone else he could invite out).

Ted’s family was his greatest joy. He treasured Bev and the 70+ years they spent together, especially their time in retirement as they traveled far and wide and were constantly golfing (an activity that showed Bev’s love for him). He was a friend and role model for his sons, teaching and supporting them however he could and welcoming and loving their wives as his own daughters. He took such pride in the achievements and endeavors of his grandchildren that he would sooner tell stories about them than about his own storied past. His nieces, nephews, and their families also brought him great joy at large family gatherings he would rarely miss.

Wherever he went, Ted’s magnetic personality drew people to him. Whether at his church, golf club, or retirement community, everyone knew him, and he often had an inside joke or story he’d always be sure to reference. While he will be greatly missed, he will always be remembered by countless people who are all better for having known him.

A memorial service will be held at Ronald United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 25, at 1:00 pm. Inurnment ceremony with military honors immediately following at 2:30 pm at Washelli Cemetery. Reception to follow at Washelli Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Ted’s dedicated commitment to military service.

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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Jenes family.