Ted M. Marquis Sr.

He was born in Yakima, on September 1, 1934, to Onisime and Bertha Marquis. He grew up in the valley, first attending St Joseph’s Catholic School and later Marquette High School. Before turning 18, Ted joined the United States Merchant Marines where he made lifelong friends and was able to feed his taste for adventure. He then joined the Air Force and while on leave, he met a beautiful young lady, Rosa “Rose” Lee Lowell, on a blind date. Ted and Rose were married on October 31, 1952. Together, they were a strong team who worked hard, and raised nine children. In the early part of their marriage, Ted’s work in sales required him to regularly travel, making their time together as a family that much more important and rewarding.

After continually working to beat his sales quotas working for others, he began developing solutions to launch his own manufacturing company. His small company grew into an enterprise that included eight companies and provided jobs to hundreds of families. His companies eventually included MARQ, Arr-Tech, Wide Hollow Development, Northwest Tiller, Northwest Bagger, Aussie Tuff Coat, Buren Sheet Metal and in 1998, Creekside Business Park. He served as a past president of Gyro International and was a board member of Toast Masters International. In 2001, he was named Packaging Man of the year by the Packaging Machinery Manufacture Institute.

Despite his success in business, Ted’s highest priorities in life were his faith and his family. When life posed challenges he couldn’t figure out on his own, he often could be found kneeling in prayer at church, asking God for direction with whatever was heavy on his heart. He also looked forward to his devotional time and was known for giving copies of his favorite devotionals to friends. He attended West Valley Four Square Church and was a lifelong member of St Josephs and Holy Family Catholic Church. His favorite Bible passage was Ecclesiastes 1-8.

Ted loved children, and few things made Ted as giddy as having his grandchildren visit and call him their “handsome grandpa.” Ted enjoyed people, and enjoyed visiting with anyone who could hold a conversation. He enjoyed playing gin with friends. He enjoyed the excitement of creating the "DEAL", and he enjoyed travelling to warm places. Ted had a great sense of humor, a deep voice, and he loved to make people laugh. Because he grew up following the Great Depression, he also had a great heart for helping children in need.

Ted never took for granted the opportunities he created in life. He said he always felt lucky for his family, including his very special wife, Rose, who he missed so very much, his children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Ted is survived by his children, Vince, Ted Jr., JoAnne, Rocky (Kally), Debra, Annette (Dave) Wolfe, Trent (Julie), Todd (Clarine), and Jay (April), his brothers Benoit (Sheila), Romeo, Richard and Al, his sisters, Anita (George) Brown-Sergeant, Cecilia Riegel, and Clara Regiembal, as well as 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rose in 2006, his parents, Onisime and Bertha, his brother Pat and his sister Theresa Meredith.

A vigil service will be conducted at 5:30 PM in the Keith & Keith 9th Avenue Chapel Friday, November 14, 2014. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at noon in the St. Paul Cathedral Saturday, November 15, 2014. He will be laid to rest in the Terrace Heights Memorial Park with private services. Memorial contributions are suggested to Yakima Family YMCA c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home and to share a memory of Ted, please visit www.keithandkeith.com