Theodore "Ted" Frederick Nelson

Theodore Frederick Nelson, 79, a proud WSU Cougar, Wenatchee Panther, and Olympia resident, passed away on October 11, 2020. On May 17, 1941, T.V. and Eunice Nelson welcomed him into this world in Wenatchee, Washington. Ted was known by many names; he answered to “Bud,” “Fred” or “Ted,” depending on where and when you met him. Some of Ted’s happiest memories were the summers he spent with cousins at their grandparent’s farm in Orchard Prairie, Washington. After graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1959, Ted attended Washington State University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in accounting. Ted was married in 1961 and became a father in 1964 to son, Scott, and to daughter, Christine, in 1968. After becoming a certified public accountant, Ted worked in Portland, Oregon, before settling in Olympia and enjoying a long career with the State of Washington. During his time in public service, Ted worked at the State of Washington Auditor’s Office, the Washington State of Department of Information Services, the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition, Ted maintained a private tax practice, which nourished him socially, mentally, and emotionally. He loved the puzzles of accounting and the federal tax codes, serving tax clients up until his death. Ted fell in love with Paulette Price Groebner, and the two married on August 15, 1992. Ted embraced the opportunity to help raise his new family, Rebecca, Jeffrey, Kimberly, and Nicholas. Ted was always active in the communities in which he lived. While in Portland, he was active in the Rose Society. Shortly after arriving to Olympia, he began working with Capital Lakefair as a Capitalarian. He loved walking with the floats in parades, supporting the Lakefair Court, and assisting with Lakefair’s local carnival, parade, hydroplane races, and associated events. Ted was a member of the Olympia Rotary and an active youth leader and choir member at Evergreen Christian Center. He enjoyed breeding and showing cats around the Pacific Northwest. Ted remained loyally connected to his beloved Wenatchee Panther and Washington State Cougar friends and alumni. Brilliant in mind and youthful in spirit, his quick-witted teasing and retorts were how you knew he loved and cared about you. If you hadn’t been teased by Ted, then you didn’t know him. His faith in God, his love of the Cougars, and his dedication to family ran deep, and were traits apparent to all who met him. “Let’s go fly a kite” isn’t just a song from a Disney musical. Ted loved the beach; if there was wind, it is what Ted would say before flying, or teaching somehow how to fly, dual handed stunt kites. Ted made you feel like you were lifelong friends the moment he met you. If you didn’t remember his jokes, jabs, stories, or opinions, maybe you remember him as the guy who was always dressed head to toe in Cougar crimson and grey. He loved sports and he loved the Seahawks, but there has never been, nor will there likely ever be, a greater Cougar fan than Ted Nelson. If you were a Husky and around during the Apple Cup, beware. He was known to send a dozen black roses to all his Husky friends on those rare occasions the Cougs actually beat the Dawgs. Always positive, always hopeful, always warm and welcoming, that was Ted or Fred or Bud Nelson. Ted is preceded in death by his parents, Ted Vernon and Mary Eunice Nelson; and his sister, Carol McNabb (Mac). He is survived by his wife, Paulette Nelson; his children, Scott Nelson (Kathy), Christine Nelson (Kelli), Rebecca Groebner (Das), Jeffrey Groebner (Jessica), Kimberly Groebner, and Nicholas Groebner (Taylor); and grandchildren, Colin Nelson (Elyse), Cameron Nelson, Christian Nelson, Jasper Petty, Felix Petty, Victoria Groebner, Sydney Groebner, Margaret (Maggie) Groebner, and Julie Edwards. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Ted’s name to the Washington State University Carson School of Business or Cougar Athletics. Please share memories on a special Memory Page about Ted by clicking HERE.