June 11, 1949-Oct. 29, 2014 Ted Dean Hollcraft was born June 11, 1949 in Portland, Ore., and passed away suddenly on October 29, 2014. He was the second of nine children born to his parents, Tom and Marge Hollcraft. The family furniture business relocated to Seattle in 1954 and Ted grew up in the Edmonds area, graduating from Meadowdale in 1967. He joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Oriskany during the
Vietnam War. His career was largely spent as a residential building contractor and commercial landscape foreman. Ted's many hobbies included rebuilding and racing his 1957 Chevy, flying hang gliders and obtaining his private pilots license, hunting and fishing. He also shared his father's love for beautiful furniture and became a meticulous craftsman. His exquisite penmanship was evidence of his attention to detailed perfectionism. Ted's greatest passion in later years became his time spent with his Lord and church. He was a humble, gentle man; a man of honor and integrity; a son, a brother, a friend, who will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his father, Tom; brother, Jamie; his wife, Ilene Foster. He is survived by three brothers, David, Jeff and Jon; four sisters, Susan Kalles, Pat Taffera, Nancy Johnson and Terrie Manning; and many nieces and nephews. Ted will be interred on Friday, November 28,. 2014 at 1 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery. A reception will follow in Edmonds.
Susan Akers (Thompson)
To whoever posted this: Thank you. Our prayers go out to Ted's family. There are 417 who graduated in 1967 from MHS and I'm so happy this website is up and running so we can connect.
Kathy Christopher (Stack)
I always loved Teddy! He was the nicest person one could ever meet. He was so kind. I have so many fond memories of Ted - and I know he is missed by so many that loved him. I had not seen Teddy for such a long time, and yet, years went by and when I needed his support in my life, he was right there. I regret that I did not keep in closer touch with him. Save me a place by the pool Teddy! We will meet again, God love you!
Christopher Simon
My wife's brother was married to Ted's sister Sue. After high school I only saw him a few times before he went to be with the Lord. We were able to touch base at the rehearsal dinner prior to Craig (my wife's brother) and Sue's wedding then again on the wedding day. The last time I saw Ted was at Craig's memorial in Spokane in 2013.
My fondest memory of Ted was during our sophomore year when we were on the cross county team together. It was the last meet of the season and we were running against Cascade High and another school that I can't remember. Ted and I got off to a fast start and were running 1st and 2nd. Thru most of the race Ted was running just in front of me and was setting a blistering pace. I kept pushing him until I passed him with about 1/2 mile to the finish line. I was pretty sure I was going to finish the race in first place until the last 50 yards when Ted came sprinting past me, and I had to settle for second place. At the end of the race while both of us were trying to recover, gasping for breath, Ted came up to me and said that he was sure that I had him beat. My reply in return was that he always had the better final kick between us.
Ted overcame a lot during his lifetime according to his sister Sue's account to me, and I was grieved to hear of his passing. However, I am comforted in knowing that he came to know the Lord during his sojourn on this earth and has passed on to be with Him.
Terri Renfro (Goff)
It was so shocking to see Ted's name listed under the In Memory column. We were classmates at Saint Pius X School, fifth through eighth grades, in addition to Meadowdale High. He was always such a nice, upstanding, quiet, no nonsense type of guy whom I always admired so much--one of the good ones. He did have beautiful penmanship – I remember that well! That was really prized back in the day. I also knew and liked his sister, Susan, and it really saddens me to read that she not only lost her brother, but also her husband.