Theodore "Ted" William Pinkham

Theodore “Ted” Pinkham, 75, of Marysville, KS, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025, at Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia, KS, with family at his side.

A visitation was held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville, from 5 to 7 p.m. The family was present to receive friends.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 25, at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Marysville. Pastor Shannon Borgman officiated.  The organist was Carol O'Neal, and the vocalist was Jeff Gore.  Music included "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," "Go Rest High On That Mountain," "Amazing Grace," and "How Great Thou Art."

The honorary pallbearers were Mark Stewart, Rick Stewart, Doug Ford, Mark Leidig, Greg Boss, Jim Keller, and Bill Jenkins.

Burial followed in the Marysville City Cemetery.

Ted was born on February 1, 1950, at the Randal Clinic in Marysville, KS, to William “Red” and Audrey (Gabbard) Pinkham.

A 1968 graduate of Marysville High School, Ted later moved to Gardner, KS, to live with his aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Chuck Stewart. There, he worked at the Sibley Generating Station east of Kansas City before beginning college at Kansas State University.

While attending Kansas State, Ted was a proud member of the Air Force ROTC, which offered him the opportunity to train at Fort Riley. One of his fondest memories was flying a cargo plane over Marysville and convincing his co-pilot to buzz the family farm, waving to his grandfather who was working in the fields below — a story he cherished and told often.

Following college, Ted returned home to assist his grandfather with farming, continuing the Pinkham family tradition. He later joined the Army National Guard in Marysville and was stationed at Fort Polk, LA.

On October 10, 1970, Ted married Jeanette Kabriel. Together, they had two children, Jennifer (Adam) Schuster and Brian (Erica) Salts. They later divorced.

Ted married Rebecca “Becky” Jenkins on June 5, 1976, and together they also had two children, Candice (Eric) Schmitz and Wade Pinkham.

Over the years, Ted held many different jobs, but his true passion was driving a semi-truck, which he did for many years before serving as both a police officer and a fireman for the City of Marysville. After leaving the police force, Ted and Becky purchased a black Peterbilt they named Shadow, which he leased to various trucking companies over the years. Later, they bought a different Peterbilt, Honey, which Ted drove himself until he retired at the age of 62 from Keim Trucking.

During those years on the road, his loyal miniature schnauzer, Duke, kept him company. After Duke passed, Ted began working for Railcrew Express, where he spent the next seven years driving crews — a job he genuinely enjoyed, as it gave him the chance to be behind the wheel once again. We always joked that Ted was a human atlas — if you ever needed directions, he could tell you exactly how to get there.

Preceding him in death is his wife, Becky; and parents, W.C. “Red” Pinkham and Audrey Meyer.

Survivors include his daughters, Jennifer (Adam) Schuster, St Joseph, IL., and Candice (Eric) Schmitz, Centralia, KS; sons, Brian (Erica) Salts, Yankton, SD, and Wade Pinkham, Blue Rapids, KS; grandchildren, Kabriel Schuster, Breanna (Bryson) Johnson, Jayce Schmitz, Kayla Salts, Taylor (Bruce) Gonzalez, Tucker (Natalie) Salts, Kaitlyn Salts, Keagen Salts, and Oliver Salts; great grandsons Johnny & Carter Johnson; siblings, Charlie (Tom) Ryckman, Las Vegas, NV, Jill (John) Frese, Manhattan, KS, Joel Meyers, Manhattan, and Jim (Bonnie) Meyers, Hoisington, KS; and many nieces & nephews.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.