Theodore Roger Ewald Obituary (2025)

Theodore (Ted) Roger Ewald 84, formerly of Spokane Valley, passed away January 13, 2025, after a long battle of medical complications following his hunting accident in the Blue Mountains of Idaho in the fall of 1968 that left him in a coma for six months and with a severe brain injury. Theodore was born the second child to Bert and Virginia (Franklin) Ewald in the spring of 1940. He and his sister Shelly were joined by three more siblings after Virginia married Rollo Shuler after her divorce from Bert. Baby Russell died in infancy, Delight and Shawn soon followed Ted's sisters lovingly referred to him as Teddy Bear. Ted married West Valley High School sweetheart Bonnie Jo (Durham) Schuessler and they had two children, Melinda Dawn and Brent Randall. After their short marriage, Ted became a single father raising his two children. He then met and married Sharon (Moe) Huppert and they had a son Russell Zane. Sharon adopted Melinda and Brent and raised all three when she and Ted divorced. Ted was a mechanical engineer at Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane, WA. Where his stepfather Rollo Shuler also worked. Ted was an avid hunter and loved animals and the outdoors. He was a lifelong member of the Inland Empire big game council and joined the NW Safari Club International. Ted's challenging life was filled with his stories and adventurous hunting trips. He was fortunate to have gone on two African safari trips as a disabled hunter. He had the great joy of sharing his second safari trip with his son Brent. He had also had several hunting buddies throughout the years. His lifelong friends and hunting partners Neil Van Holt and Jim Johnson remained in touch with him throughout the years. Ted will be remembered in Spokane as the man with the beautifully painted barn in front of the cement plant and as Mr. Buttons. Ted was moved to Ellensburg, WA so that his daughter Melinda could help with his care. He resided in several care facilities, the last being a family-owned brain injury facility where he lived out his life. Ted was preceded in death by his father Bert Ewald, mother Virginia Shuler, stepfather Rollo Shuler, baby brother Russell John, Sister Shelley McCormick, brother Shawn Shuler, Aunts Hattie Ewald and Adeline Lovelett, and nephew Chad Tinder. Ted is survived by his children, Melinda (Rick) Campbell, Brent (Kimberly) Ewald and Russell (Lisa) Huppert; grandchildren Dustin Campbell, Suny (Rachel) Campbell and Lucas Ewald; 6 great grandchildren, Megan, Westin, Garrett, Mitchell, Shania and Savana; nephews Shannon Plocher, Eric Sowl, niece Judiann Joyce and their children; sister Delight (Mark) Zimak and special friend and sometimes companion Sandra Scruggs. Ted, once a deacon at his church in Spokane, will likely be sharing his hunting stories and adventures in his life ever after in Heaven. In lieu of services the family asks that you remember Ted in supporting Youth Hunters Education or a memory of your choice.