Theodore Wilbur Jonsson

I met Ted in 1976 when he was making his Alaska pipeline sculptor in Anchorage. I was 8 years old, and I can still vividly remember him and the motley crew of characters building this beautiful structure out of what I knew, even at that young age, was an industrial monstrosity. It was simultaneously underhanded and overtly political. Larry Beck, another iconic Northwest artist was also there. And there was a guy who showed me how he could break rocks with his bare hands. When my family moved...

I met Ted when my daughter was 7 years old. She is 43 now. She was at Children's Hospital suffering from a rare blood disease. Ted took us home to Oregon and has been a solid best friend ever since. We shared political views and many laughs. I count him as one of my very best friends. I will miss him. He was a blessing to this earth, a large, generous spirit.

Safe journey, Ted.

Rose Lee
Seattle, WA

Ted was my Godfather and my father's best friend. I am named after him and my father. Some of the first pictures of me are with Ted at my parents home on Vashon Is. He was an amazing person with a great spirit. Riding in his MG, going through his studio on Northlake, and sailing with him and my dad are some of my fondest memories. James Theodore Spence

I've known Ted since the late 60s at Highline College. He & my ex-husband, Bill Mair, taught together there & I met him there. He was a terrific sculptor. I especially liked his piece at SeaTac (& I used to shoo kids off it - they thought it was something to climb on) & his piece for the Seattle Water Dept. He was a wild & crazy guy, as many artists are, & we all loved him for it. Ted, I hope you are up in the clouds, sculpting the sky.

Diana Smith

Ted asked me to marry him in 1971. I have always wondered what kind of a life I would have had with such a creative man. I will never forget our discussions about good and bad Art, as he rolled another Flying Dutchman. RIP my friend. Peace to your family. Peggy Lindsay