Theodorus "Ted" Bakker

1938 - 2021

With heavy hearts and profound sadness we announce the passing of Ted on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the young age of 83 years. His family was fortunate to be by his side as he left peacefully.

Ted leaves to cherish his memory his best friend and wife of 60 years Maureen. Survived by his three children Suzanne, Nico (Kat), Richard (Marcy), grandchildren Sarah (Brandon), Ryan (Milana), Sean (Carmen), Evie, Hannah (Jav), Cohen, also Kristen, Natasha and Amelia and Leeann, Aaron. Born eighth to a family of twelve children, he leaves behind many family members in the Netherlands.

Every life has a story, Ted was born in Hoogwoud, (Netherlands), and surviving wartime occupation planted a seed of resiliency, and ambition that led him to emigrate to Canada at the young age of nineteen in 1957. He made his way across Canada and finally settled in White Rock where he met his future wife Maureen on the infamous White Rock pier. Always the adventurer during this time, he enjoyed skydiving, ocean diving, flying and participation in the Abbotsford Airshow. Family was everything to him. He was a very proud great-grandfather to Miles and Louisa. Ted had many jobs before he found his perfect job, working with airplanes for many years at TCA/Air Canada at (YVR). In 1973 his love of agriculture brought him and his family to Kamloops where he purchased the Six Mile Ranch (Tobiano). Ted loved hard work and spent many hours, caring for his cattle, improving and working the land. Many great memories were made with friends, family and the "Cherry Creek gang" on the beach at Kamloops Lake.

He was actively involved in many Kamloops activities including the KXA, Sagebrush Downs, Cattlemans, BC Livestock, Provincial Winter Fair(4H) and the Kamloops Curling Club. In 1991 he decided to downsize, moving to a smaller cattle ranch in Monte Creek and purchasing hayland in Vinsulla. In 1996 Ted and Maureen established the U-Bar Ranch in Drayton Valley, Alberta where he spent 17 years making many new friends along the way. In 2013 Ted and Maureen returned to Kamloops to finally retire and be closer to family and friends. Ted was generous, kind, humble and respected by all who knew him. A fair, honourable, hard-working man, he exemplified these values to his family. We will miss his smile and quiet charm.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
His journey is over. R.I.P. dearest Ted, till we meet again.

Thank-you to the Drake Cremation and Funeral Service staff for the sensitivity shown to us. There will be no service and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.