Blogs merged: "Theodore J. (Ted) Todd (1923-2003)" added to this blog

Today I merged the blog I'd started about Dad into my personal blog. Especially when I get to the photos, it's hard to decide which blog they should go on. You can find the posts about him using the link to his name somewhere on the right side bar or click on the keywords at the bottom of this post. Here is some text I wrote for the sidebar of his blog:

"My father liked puns, liked history, science and invention. He loved his family. He was easy-going and had many, many friends, acquaintances and business associates. He was on more boards of directors than I could count, and he actually attended meetings and made things happen. He almost went into politics. I wonder how that would have turned out. He was as honorable as they come, so maybe it's a good thing he didn't. He was always curious about the world, and adored travel and fishing. I'm going to have to look up some dates, but Dad married our mother (Betty) about 1946. I was born in 1949, Kathy in 1951, and Gary in 1954. When I was 30, our parents divorced and he married Lois, with whom he lived until his death in 2003. I'll keep posting pictures and stories. If you would like to contribute, please add a comment to any post or send e-mail. Thanks! Read more about Ted's life."

I had also put this note at the top of his blog:

"In memory of Ted Todd, born in San Francisco, California, January 11, 1923; died in Prescott, Arizona, March 14, 2003. He spent most of his long, active, and inventive life in the home town of his ancestors, Corona, California (before it got so big, and while the trees were still there). In later years he and Lois lived in Prescott, Arizona."

I think it will be easier to post more regularly when I don't have to make artificial separations depending on who is in the photo. I also found where I'd stored the notebook I began about his life, so there are a few things there I'll be adding soon. Remember, you can use the labels below.

New pictures of Dad with us kids

Today, March 15, 2009, is the 6th anniversary of Dad's death. I wanted to put some pictures of him online. I have a lot of pix of the early days that my mom sent me, so I've just posted some photos of Dad with me and possibly with Kathy when I was a baby. Here are the links:

Sheryl and Dad at the beach

Dad with Kathy and me

My first Christmas - with Dad at Grandma's house

Sheryl's new tricycle

Posts and plugs

A couple of days ago I started a blog about my father. It started with a post on the Tapir Preservation Fund blog about the sad and untimely death of Nico van Strien. You can read the post. While writing it, I began thinking of my father. My dad's birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and the anniversary of his death is coming soon. The one post led into the other thought, and then I wanted to make a blog in honor of my father. After his death, I intended to collect some material about his life and put it into notebooks for some of the family. I bought the notebooks, collected a couple of things, and got sidetracked. Then I moved. At the moment, I can't find the original collection of things. They aren't gone, they just haven't been found yet.

It's been a busy couple of years. It's time to find my other creative side again (the more personal art, writing, and synthesizing) and play with some of the less-work-related projects I enjoy. I can't really say non-work related, because for the past 11 years tapirs have been my work. They are still a passion and part of my fun, but I need to approach them again from another angle. Ideas are beginning to flow again. That's good.

Oh, and here are the plugs. One of the things I was thinking about was using CafePress for some of my art ideas (and for the tapirs). This came about after a discussion of using that site to sell tapir items for World Tapir Day. Anthony from Australia and Kendra from the US brought up the idea, I checked it out and liked what I saw - for myself as well as for the tapirs. So I was talking with my brother (Gary Todd), who was also needing to find an outlet in something besides work, and he put up a couple of products while I was still noodling around with research and thinking. I especially love his "Corporate Helpers" slogan. It's subtle. One of the jokes is, he IS from Corporate and he has been travelling to the satellite companies. But he gets it. He's got a few more, too, and I hope they sell. That would be fun. [Edited March 2, 2008: Another favorite is Buzzword Bingo. Follow the same link to his store.]

Dad's resting place in Prescott, Arizona

This is where Dad's ashes are interred in the memorial garden next to the Methodist Church in Prescott, Arizona. His marker is on the far left.

Getting started, and finding Dad on the Web

I started a blog is to commemorate my father, Theodore Jameson Todd, better known as Ted Todd. Later I felt that it made more sense to merge the material and other family stuff in with my personal blog. Dad lived a long and active life. When he died, I told the family I'd put together a notebook about him. I bought ten white transparent-cover notebooks, and a few people sent thoughtful remembrances, but I did nothing aside from saving them. Time went on, I got busier, I grew my businss, my nonprofit, and my web site . . . and I started blogging. I thought, "Why not start a blog for Dad?" Since almost EVERYTHING seems to be online these days, I checked to see what I could find in a search for his name. The answer was, precious little. You can see those links below. For the most part, this blog will be filled with scanned and typed memorabilia from his life. In no particular order. That's the beauty of blogs. You add what you have or what strikes you as important on any particular day. If you find you need to reorganize the posts by date, you can do that, too (I just bumped this post to the top because I think the links are interesting). You can also find common threads in the "labels" list lower down on the right.

Here are the links to a few things I found on the Web:

1970, August 3: This is about the early days of drip irrigation. Scroll down on this page to find his name under Background of the Invention under Description.

1976: From the California Avocado Society 1976 Yearbook 60: 97-105: FRUIT REMOVAL FROM STEEP HILLSIDE AVOCADO ORCHARDS PROGRESS REPORT. (Once again, use Edit, Find to search for Ted Todd.)

1983: Avocado Society Yearbook, regarding advertising budgets.

1987: Meeting minutes with Dad as moderator. He would lead with humor whenever possible. This last bit was probably typical: "Todd: Al, I'm glad you added that comment, because I would have hated to adjourn this portion of the meeting on a happy note. (Laughter.)"

1992: "The 'Award of Honor' bestowed in most years by the California Avocado Society is given in recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals to the industry." California Avocado Society 1992 Yearbook 76:77-83: "Recollections of Avocado History at U.C.L.A." (Use Edit, Find on your browser to find Ted Todd on page 6.) There's some interesting history here about agriculture and education in California. And, Crawford Teague, a relative by marriage, was also among the few honored with this award.

Here is Dad listed with his Skinner ancestors (on his mother's side of the family) in the Skinner Kinsmen Update by Greg Legutki. I contributed some material during my genealogy days. Scroll down on the right to see the excerpt with his name in it.

And then this page is just some interesting stuff about the name. It also came up in my search.

Obituary: About Ted Todd's life

You can open or download the following text as a PDF file. Kathy, Gary, and Sheryl wrote this obit. Lois and her daughters wrote another one, which I'll try to find. We sent the unpublished obituary on this page to the Heritage Room of the Corona Public Library. The note said, "I am enclosing an obituary for my father, Theodore Jameson (Ted) Todd. It was written by my sister, brother, and myself. As it turned out, it was too long to publish in the Press-Enterprise, but since it contains information about his own and his ancestors' history with Corona (his ancestors were town founders and he was instrumental in local agriculture), we hope you will file it with the Heritage Room archives. He was a resident of Corona for about 64 years."


Theodore J. Todd
January 11, 1923 - March 14, 2003

Theodore Jameson (Ted) Todd, 80, of Prescott, Arizona, died March 14 at the Veterans Administration Hospice Center after a long battle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and Lewy Bodies.

Ted was born January 11, 1923, in San Francisco, California, the second of four children of Clement Joseph Todd and Bernice Jameson Todd, long-time residents of Corona, California. He spent most of his youth in Corona, which his grandparents and great-grandparents, the Jamesons and Joys, helped found in the 1880s. Ted’s parents continued to be prominent in the life and growth of the community.

Ted attended Corona Junior High and High Schools, and upon graduation, began studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. During World War II, he served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater aboard the destroyer escort Downs. In 1946, he married Elizabeth Louise Versteeg of Los Angeles, with whom he had three children. He graduated from UCLA’s School of Agriculture in subtropical horticulture in 1948. After college, he assumed management of Todd Ranch Company, a family citrus and avocado business in Corona. Ted remained President of Todd Ranch Company until 2002. In 1979, he married Lois Madden of Goleta, California, and in 1993, they moved to Prescott, where they joined the Prescott United Methodist Church. During their retirement they enjoyed travelling and church and social activities.

Throughout his life, Ted was active in church and community affairs. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Corona, established by his grandparents and great-grandparents. He served on numerous committees and boards at local and state level, receiving many awards and commendations for his work. He was loved by family and friends, and respected in all aspects of his professional life. Hunting and fishing were among his favorite pastimes.

Ted believed in the importance of community service. This prompted him to become President of the Corona Parent-Teachers’ Association. He was a long-standing member of the Corona Lions Club, and served on the boards of the Temescal and Corona Water Companies. He was honored by the California Avocado Association (CALAVO), on whose board he served as Chairman for over 20 years, and received an award for "outstanding service to agriculture and industry as Chairman and member of the Industrial Welfare Commission" of the State of California, to which he had been appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan and again by Governor Jerry Brown. Other professional organizations Ted was involved with included Valley Fig Growers and the Avocado Society.

Ted’s practical optimism, sense of humor and adventure, honesty, kindness, dedication to responsibility and spiritual values, attention to family, creative problem-solving, and willingness to take on the challenges of hard work, made him a welcome part of the many endeavors to which he devoted himself throughout his full life.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lois Madden Todd of Prescott; three children, a daughter, Sheryl Elizabeth Todd of Astoria, Oregon; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen Todd Rodriguez and Frederick Ruddy Rodriguez of Corona, California; and a son and daughter-in-law, Gary Theodore Todd and Bethany Ann Todd of Cottage Grove, Oregon; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Bernice Todd Morris and James Piers Morris of Anacortes, Washington; and Helen Todd Hewitt and Charles Edward Hewitt of Santa Monica, California; sister-in-law, Rosina Lee Todd of Golden, Colorado; five grandchildren, Karen Rodriguez Williams of Corona; Jacob Frederick Rodriguez of Riverside, California; David Joseph Rodriguez of Corona; Kristene Todd Maddux of Mulketeo, Washington; and Eric Steven Todd of Springfield, Oregon; three great-grandchildren; and ten nieces and nephews. His brother, Clement Jameson Todd of Golden, Colorado, passed away March 14, 1998.

Services for Ted were held March 18 at the United Methodist Church in Prescott. His ashes will be placed at the church, and a plaque will be added to the family plot at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Corona.

Markers and memorials in Corona, California

Although Dad's ashes are in Prescott, Arizona, my siblings and I wanted to get a stone for him in the family plot in Corona. The family had lived there and been such a part of the community for so many years. The stones are old and the cemetery is well-kept and peaceful. We thought it would be nice for him to have a marker where so much of his history lies. His stone is on the far left in front. My mom brought a bird of paradise flower from the garden, and Kathy cleaned the stone and took these photos. The headstones of Dad's parents are near his. In the photo below you can see his marker close up.

When it comes down to making a decision like this, it's hard to know what to say about your father in so few words. Kathy picked out the stone and sent Gary and me information and pictures online, then we all made the choices. It seems to have a look and feel that honors his memory, and we were all happy with that.

80th birthday, Prescott, January 11, 2003

On January 11, 2003, my sister Kathy (pictured) along with Lois and Fred and some local friends helped Dad celebrate his 80th birthday at the VA Hospital in Prescott.

A visit to Prescott, April 4, 2001

See this post in Sheryl's personal blog.

Ted on vaction at a lake - sometime in the 1990s?

The top photo and the enlargement from it (2nd photo) were taken, as far as I can tell, sometime in the 1990s. The scans are from the only copies I have, which are printed from a computer. I believe this is a favorite place that Dad and Lois enjoyed visiting, or they were on vacation with some friends. I'll try to get more info and post the facts as soon as I can.

c. 1971: Pictures of Ted Todd

Ted Todd ~ photos by Sheryl Todd

I don't know the date, and I'm only guessing the year, but it's approximately right. My dad needed a photo of himself to be printed in an agricultural journal, so he drove over to Claremont (California) and asked me to take a few. I don't remember if he had a meeting in the area that day, or only drove over for the photo. We went across Central Avenue from the house, where, quite conveniently, there was a lemon grove, and I took some photos with black and white film.

I remember thinking that they were too high contrast, and I wished I'd had a chance to do them over, but of course now that so much time has passed, I'm just glad to have them at all.

Feb 1956: Ted with Kathy and Sheryl, printed February 1956

Ted with his first two kids, either 1955 or 1956. From left: Kathy, Ted, Sheryl, and Sheryl's doll. The photo was printed in February, 1956. I almost remember that we were supposed to be singing Christmas carols, so it was probably taken in December. Remember when film stayed in the camera for months? Gary was born in 1954, but was not in the photo.

Jan 1956: Ted with little Gary, printed January 1956

Gary was born November 1, 1954.

c. 1952, Summer: Dad with kids at the beach, about 1952

I (Sheryl) am the kid on the right. The other little girl was a friend of the family. I have no idea who the body-builder is on the far right, but arm at left probably belongs to the little girl's father. I'm guessing she is Shauna Haugan, but don't quote me. Growing up in Southern California, we went to the beach a lot. That had also been a tradition in Dad's family growing up. They went to Corona del Mar most of the time; we usually went to Newport or Balboa. I think Dad was a pretty good swimmer. At least he usually went in and got wet.

Feb 22, 1951: Sheryl, Dad, Mom, and tricycle

My first tricycle. I wasn't as brave as Kathy was. I was probably scared, although I loved riding the trike later. In the picture are Ted, Betty, the tricycle, and Sheryl. It was in an envelope that was printed February 22, 1951. That would make Mom 7+ months pregnant with Kathy. I can't tell from the print date when the photo was taken. The dates weren't marked or printed on the photos. The picture was taken on the patio behind our house.

c. Aug 1950: Sheryl with her dad at the beach

This is a small photo with no date on it, so I'm just guessing. Everyone enjoyed going to the beach, and both families have a tradition of spending time there. My mom grew up near the beach, and Dad's family had spent time there for several generations.

Dec 25, 1949: Sheryl and Dad at Grandma's house

I think I always liked dolls. Here is Dad playing on the floor with me, and this may be a doll I'd gotten for Christmas, I'm not sure about that. The date the photos were developed was December 29, 1949. Grandma's parents had brought Oriental rugs back to Corona after a trip around the world in 1910 and 1911. It looks like they were still in good shape after lots of use by 1949!

c. 1950: Dad with Sheryl (top) and Kathy (bottom)

I think it's possible that the top photo is me and the second is Kathy, and she agreed with me, but we're not positive. Kathy had darker hair and I had a wider face. I think Dad looks a little older in the second photo, too, but that's really hard to tell. If my guess on who's who is right, the first is 1949, and the second 1951.

"I'm touched that Adam liked them and yeah, they sort of look like Life Magazine. They're of that era, black and white. I took out a few spots in the prints and lightened up my dad's face in a couple of them so you could see it. I was struck by one of the pix where he's holding Kathy or me. His t-shirt has holes in it, his fingernails have grease in them. It was like him, working on the ranch and then coming home to the family. It's a kind of 1940's image, maybe. The baggy t-shirt. We weren't exactly poor, but nobody bought new stuff every time it had a few holes in it! It's just a different age."

c. Jul 1949: Ted with baby Sheryl, 1949

Sheryl was born May 6, 1949.

c. 1940: Clement J. and Bernice J. Todd family passport

Clement Joseph Todd and Bernice Jameson Todd family passport, c. 1940. This is a scan from a xerox. Stamps on the passport say not valid for travel in either China or Spain.

Top row from left: Ted Todd, Clem Todd
Second row: Bernice and Clement
Front row: Helen and Bernice