Obituary of Ted Wickham

Ted R. Wickham was born May 10, 1920 on the homestead farm located south of Flagler, Colorado to William M. and Anna Rose (Valenta) Wickham. He passed away on January 28, 2006 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington at the age of 85. Ted was the ninth child born out of twelve brothers and sisters. He attended Second Central School until the 11th grade at which time he boarded with the Rowden family in town so he could complete his high school education and graduated with the Class of 1939. While working at the local co-op in December of 1940, Ted met his future wife, Irene Loutzenhiser. The couple was wed on June 24, 1941 in Denver, Colorado. Ted and Irene made their home on a farm twenty miles north of Flagler. They were blessed to have celebrated 54 years of marriage. During the early years of their marriage, they rejoiced when their nephew and niece, Jess and Wilma Tolton of Green River, Wyoming came to live with them for a period of time. After nine years of marriage the couple celebrated the birth of their son Ted Ernest in 1950. This was followed by Marie Irene’s birth in 1953, and Wilda Mae’s or “Willie’sâ€? birth in 1955. In 1944, Ted felt the call to serve his country during WWII and was inducted into the United States Navy on May 11, 1944 – the day after his 24th birthday. Ted served aboard the battleship, the USS New Mexico. Twice, during his time of service, kamikaze planes attacked his ship and many of Ted’s shipmates lost their lives. Ted was honorably discharged in 1946. He was very proud of his service to the Navy and enjoyed attending the ship reunions until failing health prevented him from doing so. Ted was also proud to have been a member of the Flagler American Legion Post for 61 years during which time he served as chaplain. Ted was a member of the Flagler Baptist Church where he taught the high school Sunday school class for many years and then later the adult class. He was also active in other duties such as a deacon and greeter. Many will remember him standing at the door with a friendly handshake and welcome as they entered the church. The Kit Carson County Carousel was another passion of Ted’s. He loved being involved in the restoration process and always encouraged everyone to come and see the carousel and take a ride for only a quarter. Ted received great pleasure from handing out wooden tokens to friends, family and strangers to allow them to ride this historical treasure. He was able to attend the recent 100th birthday celebration of the carousel, and even at the age of 85, take one last ride on his beloved “Indian Ponyâ€?. Ted served as Kit Carson County Commissioner for 14 years and very much enjoyed the people he served with and came to know during his terms. He was very community service minded and displayed this by his donation of blood during blood drives. In fact, he donated over 10 gallons during his lifetime. Ted loved to read with children, and was well known for his poems and other recitations. Ted was also well known for his “sourdoughâ€? pancakes. You couldn’t even stop by the house without his stirring up a batch – no matter day or night. He was also famous for his love of walking – at first around the farm, then after the move into town, around the block. After moving into Tendercare Village, he walked the hallway and porch area. Ted was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene; his son, Ted E.; one grandson, Kevin Burns; four brothers, Harold, Foster, Bill and John; and three sisters; Melvina, Anna Rose and Irene. He is survived by two daughters Marie Turner and her husband Bruce of Ft. Morgan, Colorado; Willie Burns and her husband Stan of Flagler, Colorado; three grandchildren, Jason Burns of Norman, Oklahoma, Kelsey Burns of Flagler, and Sean Turner of Ft. Morgan, Colorado; three sisters, Ione Tolton and Emmy Berry, both of California, and Van Holtziner of Denver, Colorado and one brother Tom Wickham of Washington state. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many others who considered Ted a good and faithful friend. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him to be a kind, gentle man who loved and accepted people just as they were. Funeral services for Mr. Wickham were held on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 10:00 AM at the Flagler Baptist Church with Pastor Alvin Wilkerson officiating. Burial followed in the Flagler Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Flagler American Legion. Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Ted’s name to the Church in Flagler or to the Kit Carson County Carousel and may be left at the High Plains Bank in Flagler.