THEODORE "TED" BENDER passed away on January 7, 2013 at the age of 87. He was known for his bowtie and was a city alderman in 1962 and weatherman for Channel 9-KTSM for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 1990 and became one of El Paso's best known personalities. He is preceded in death by his son Edward Louis "Lou" Bender. He is survived by his wife Majanah Bender, daughter Marjorie Lenore Bender and grandchild Andre Louis Bender. He was a proud to be an El Pasoan and enjoyed the hospitality and the community. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:00AM at 2nd Baptist Church, 401 S. Virginia. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr. El Paso, TX 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thanks to Mr. Bender, I live where I choose. I teach A Matter of Balance. This is a nationally known fall prevention program. I was given permission by the late Mrs. Bender to dedicate all my activities on fall prevention to him. I am honored to do this.
Davie Johnson
January 2, 2020
Ted was the best. He had a great sense of humor, lots of class, always a smile on his face. I think everyone liked Ted. He was part of El Paso, like Mt. Franklin. We need people like Ted on the TV now.
Louis Akin
Acquaintance
April 21, 2017
A belated response to the passing of Ted Bender. I was a meteorologist at the old USWB station from 1959-1971 except for tours in Antarctic, Arctic and in southeast Asia. Ted, the kid from Broklyn discovered and worked in a profession and city he loved. His habit was to visit our weather office each evening,pick up a blank weather chart and plot the data he needed. Topics discussed, the weather,TWC/UTEP sports, places we been and the news in general. I am thankful I had the opporunuty to meet and work with Ted. He had a bright mind. His attitude toward all people was gracious and fair.
Ernest Ethridge
June 7, 2013
I was a photographer/editor at KTSM in the 80's. Ted was always very cool to me. R.I.P.
Rance Bradley
March 30, 2013
God Bless You Ted Bender...
Ricardo "Rick" Escontrias
January 22, 2013
Ted was a mentor and a friend of my father and I. The ultimate professional, and a gentleman. Some of my best memories were when I was the co host with him on the telethon. El Paso has lost a great man. My prayers go out to his family.
Gayle Edelman Vokes
January 20, 2013
God Bless you. Thank you for all of your years of service to the El Paso community. I watched you growing up....rest in peace!
Maria Isabel
January 19, 2013
addenda: I will never forget finishing lunch at home at getting ready to walk up El Paso Street to my PE golf class (a par 3 where the Don Haskins Center now is) and hearing on channel 9, Ted saying: shots were fired at the presidential motorcade in Dallas. I played the 9 holes and returned to the clubhouse to hear the sad news and be glued to the TV screen for the next 3 days. Rest in peace, Ted!
Frank Rimkus
January 16, 2013
I always enjoyed hearing Ted talk about growing up in New York. He told me he attended Erasmus Hall High School. I learned later the school produced many famous people. It was joy to work with Ted at KTSM-TV all of those years ago. Rest in heaven, Ted.
Roy Ortega
January 15, 2013
May our Lord receive you with open arms. Our deepest condolences to the family. Rest in peace friend....
Nohemi C Sanchez - Mimi
January 12, 2013
Hey Majanah, Marjorie and Andre,
Here's hoping you are all coping all right. I'm having a nice time sharing Ted's press coverage about his career, including the history, with photos, of broadcasting. My friends at my insurance company and teachers from elementary, all send their warm regards/condolences. Take care.
Love and kisses, Julie Nash
January 12, 2013
RIP to an El Paso icon. Like many here, I grew up watching your weather reports in the 60's ~ 70's. I was always fascinated and comforted by your smooth voice, your chalk and silver chalk holder. Blessings to your family, Mr. Bender.
January 11, 2013
We are friends of Marjorie Bender. We can't help but believe he was a great man, as he has a wonderful daughter. The few times we met him, he was deightful and entertaining and always en pointe with current issues/information.
Larry Harris and Roxanne Duran
January 11, 2013
I have fond memories of Ted. In the early 1970's and again in the mid to late 1980's I worked at the National Weather Service office in El Paso. Ted came to the office every day before he went on the air. He was a people person and was always cheerful an easy to be around. I know he will be missed by many. He was one of a kind.
Steve Fortenberry
January 10, 2013
I remember so many times from 1958 to 1961 Doug Matthews and I would sign off FM radio station KHMS at midnight every day, go down to KTSM and pick up Ted coming off his shift, and go have coffee and pancakes at the Pancake House out on Montana Ave. And I remember fondly our trip where Ted and I drove to Costa Rica and back in a VW Bug. What a wonderful experience. I will miss him.
Our condolences to his family.
Al and Mary Hynes
January 10, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this. Please know we love you. Dot Hauss and family, China Grove, NC 28023
January 9, 2013
Sincere condolences to the Bender family. I remember my Mom looking forward to Dialing for Dollars. Maybe you can say hello to her for me up there in heaven. Most of all, thank you Ted for your public service and, most admirably, the courage to help end segregation in our city. We can only imagine what that was like. Rest in peace.
Rosie
January 9, 2013
Rosa Maria Orozco
January 9, 2013
Ted was not only one of my greatest friends, he was also my greatest mentor. I was his Assistant (weekend) weatherman on Channel 9 from 1966-69 while also working in radio at KTSM and we spent a lot of time together after hours. He was truly a fun person and a great friend and I will miss him dearly. The last couple of times I saw him was a Rudy Tellez's home and also when my wife, Melody, and I used to perform for the Downtown Lions Club luncheon. Thanks, Ted, for everything! Bob Burns
January 9, 2013
Blessings and God's Peace for the Bender Family. Ten Bender is still a TV icon for our community.
David Palafox
January 9, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to the Bender family. We remember Mr. Bender fondly as a part of our childhood growing up in the lower valley (Fabens).
The Chacon Family
January 9, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the Bender family. The head of your family, Mr. Ted Bender with his signature bow-tie, not only provide weather reports to many of us who grew up in El Paso, but he also taught us about American geography by filling in temperatures of so many cities in the 50 states. Little did he know he was a great teacher for many of us. Rest in Peace.
Gus & Liz Nunez
January 9, 2013
As a child, I marveled as Ted bender, without missing a beat, filled a chalkboard weather map with temperatures. He was the best. Thank you for fighting the good fight against segregation.
Pat
January 8, 2013
Mr. Bender was a very special man. I remember his courageous and historic vote to end segregation in El Paso. My family and I and all El Pasoans are beneficiaries of his kindness and generosity. May God Bless him and his family.
Davie L. Johnson
January 8, 2013
RIP to Ted Bender.. He was my companion when I was home sick from school or during the summer.. This was back in the days of no cable. Condolences to his family.
Grace Wilks
January 8, 2013
One of the nicest men that I have ever met. Rest in peace
Harry Flournoy
January 8, 2013
Dear Uncle Ted,
Thank you, for teaching me how to drive a stick ( the Bug), for wearing the dollar bill bowtie I made for you, and for many more things I won't say here... I was bragging to co-workers about you just last week. I love you and miss you. Your "Southern Niece" Sue
Sue
January 8, 2013
I remember watching Dialing for Dollars as a kid when I was home sick from school. Ted was an El Paso icon. Best wishes to his family and loved ones.
Alfonso
January 8, 2013
As a kid, I remember watching "Dialing for Dollars" when I was home sick from school. He was an El Paso icon. Best wishes to his family and loved ones.
Alfonso
January 8, 2013
I always remember that during Dialing for Dollars it was six rings,and one for good measure,good childhood memories
Steve Wayne
January 8, 2013
Meany times through the 70's&80's i've encounted ted in my daily grind & there was always a pleasent exchange of words or wave from ted
daniel bourdelais
January 8, 2013
From our arrival in El Paso in 1972 till his retirement, we watched Ted Bender faithfully, marveling at how he wrote all the temperatures on the map. After he retired, I'd see him up at Albertson's, and each time, I'd tell him we missed his weather forecasts, and he'd grin. Goodbye, Ted, rest in peace.
Marjorie Cunningham
January 8, 2013
We had the chance to cross paths through the years. Ted Bender was a wonderful man and a truly nice person. Condolences to the family.
Doug Bowe
January 8, 2013
I worked with Ted for several years in early 70s covering Miners basketball and thru our numerous conversations...including during perilous winter car trips from Denver to Laramie...he NEVER discussed his role in EP Civil Rights movement.God Bless you Ted. Say hello to The Bear
Peter Ciccarelli
January 8, 2013
Uncle Ted:
May your memory be blessed.
Larry
January 8, 2013
My deepest condolances to the Bender family. I will always remember Ted fondly. Rest in Peace+
January 8, 2013
I had the pleasure of working and serving with Ted in the Downtown Lions Club for a number of years. My late Father-in-Law, John Phelan and Ted were pioneers of the communication industry in El Paso. Ted will be in my prayers.
Terry O'Connor
January 8, 2013
My condolesences. I now live in San Jose CA but growing up, I always looked forward to seeing Mr. Bender give the weather reports...Dr. Jaime Galindo.
Dr. Jaime Galindo
January 8, 2013
To Mr. Bender's family. I remember watching the news including the weather on Channel 9 back in the early 60's when I lived in the lower valley. We would all sit in the living room at the ranch house to watch the news. Such a simple and memorable time then. My prayers always to the family. God Bless you all.
nms
January 8, 2013
Working with Ted at KTSM was a pleasure and an honor - I always felt supported by him as did many others. Full of wit, intelligence and character - he was a true El Paso legend. May he rest in peace and may God bless his friends and family in this time of need.
Joyce Ohajah
January 8, 2013
I had the pleasure of working with Ted at KTSM while I was in college at UTEP in the late 60s. He was the nicest, kindest, and very thoughtful man who gave me the inspiration to spend my career in Broadcast Television too. I have thought of him often over the years and while his passing makes me sad, every time I remember him, I smile. God bless, Ted Bender.
Roy Moore
January 8, 2013
My Daddy was a farmer in the upper valley , he and my mother watched your weather program every night to them it waswas the best most reliable information any farmer could ask for . You were an icon in EP's culture
Kay Pinckard Seitz
January 7, 2013
To Mr. Bender's family: please accept my condolences. I remember watching Mr. Bender on TV every evening when I was a little girl. Back then the TV weather maps and technology were quite different from today's high-tech wizardry but I think I learned a lot about the geography of our country and atmospheric science just by tuning in. Through this bow-tied gentleman I learned that Casper was not just a friendly cartoon ghost but also that it was a city in Wyoming and it could get very cold there! To this day I am a weather geek and it all started with him. Heaven has gained a great man.
January 7, 2013
DEAR FAMILY , SAD TO LEARN OF MR. BENDER PASSING . I LOVED TO WATCH HIS WEATHER REPORTS . MAY HE REST IN PEACE. MY MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES . GOD BLESS YOU
B EPLEY
January 7, 2013
Rest in peace, Ted. Fondy I remember you, John Phelan, sports, Conry Bryson, news, and Jack Rye everything else. KTSM ruled.
Frank Rimkus
January 7, 2013
Nerd story: Ted Bender was my childhood celebrity. I used to watch the News & wait for the weather on channel 9 to see Mr Bender. I would try to draw the map of the US with all the old 80's weather graphics.
One day my mom saw Mr Bender at Chope's in La Mesa NM. She asked for his autograph on a napkin, he kindly obliged. She brought it home and gave it to me. It stayed tacked to my wall all the way through high school.
RIP Mr Bender.
Luis Villalobos
January 7, 2013
My deepest condolences to Mr. Bender's family and friends. He was truly a valuable and well known part of El Paso's history.
Vicki Icard
January 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers to Ted Bender's family. Best weatherman in El Paso . He was my favorite person's on channel 9! RIP Mr. Bender
Toni Salazar
January 7, 2013
Our sincere condolences to the entire family of a wonderful man who left a lasting legacy in this beautiful city. Thank you Mr. Bender for all your hard work. You will never be forgotten. God bless the family during this difficult time.
Martinez Fam.
January 7, 2013
Ted Bender an EP icon. Grew up watching him. God bless him and his family
Sharon Branch
January 7, 2013
Ted was a fixture in our TV viewing experiences. My prayers and sympathy to the family
Louise Dubrule
January 7, 2013
RIP
January 7, 2013
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Ted Bender. Brightest Blessings to the Bender family from myself and the remaining Dautrich family.
Keith Dautrich
January 7, 2013
God Bless the whole family, Our prayers are with you. I was brought up seeing him on TV. What a loss for El Paso.
Gayl Curry
January 7, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss, and for El Paso's loss. Ted Bender was an icon in our city. Godspeed, Sir!
Charlotte Gillespie
January 7, 2013
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