Theodore Mathews

Theodore W. ‘Ted’ Mathews was born July 19, 1956 in Enterprise, Ore., to Thomas W. and Nancy Wilson Mathews. Ted died April 9, 2005, as a result of injuries sustained in an aircraft accident near Oak Harbor April 8, 2005.

Ted was raised in Weippe, Idaho, and graduated from Timberline High School in 1974. Ted went on to school in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he studied fire science and emergency medicine. In 1979 Ted joined the United States Navy where he became proficient in explosives and attained the rate of petty officer third class. When Ted was discharged from the Navy in 1982 he went on to pursue a career as a paramedic and fireman. At this point Ted also had a love of flying. He worked hard at both of his loves and in 1987 he first obtained his private pilot license.

While working in the Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, area in 1991 Ted met the love of his life, Karen, who was teaching school in the Rathdrum School District. They moved to Anacortes where Ted had a job waiting with the Anacortes Fire Department and were married Oct. 26, 1991.

Ted loved his work in the fire service, so when the opportunity came along to further his career he made the move to the Marysville, Wash., Fire Department in 1995. The family then moved to Oak Harbor, where Karen was teaching at the time and Ted commuted to work. By all accounts, Ted was an excellent paramedic; skillful and knowledgeable in all aspects of his field. He was passionate about everything: his family, his work and his flying.

Ted was an avid wood worker and built furniture, constructed an experimental aircraft, and he and Karen had totally remodeled the family home. He spent a great deal of time maintaining the eight acres of family property they owned near Hastie Lake, which included a grass runway that Ted used to land and take off his 1942 Stinson aircraft. He could be seen on many occasions practicing his landings and making low passes over his grass landing strip.

Ted is survived by his daughter, Kyla, a student a Western Washington University, his mother, Nancy Mathews, and brothers Tim and Tom of Waitsburg. Ted’s wife of 14 years died in the accident that subsequently took his life.

A memorial service for Ted and Karen Mathews will be held at Oak Harbor High School, Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that friends may make a contribution to the scholarship fund in Karen’s name. Contributions can be made to the Marysville Firefighter Local 3219 or the Oak Harbor Volunteer Fire Department in Ted’s name. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.