Theodore "Ted" Deer Jr.

Theodore “Ted” Ginger Deer, of Blaine, Washington, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Whatcom Hospice House. He was 94. Born on August 15, 1931, in Shelton, Washington, Ted was the younger of two children born to Theodore “Teedy” Deer and Jewel (Duncan) Deer.

Ted graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton in 1950 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USS Princeton during the Korean War until 1954.

On September 13, 1958, he married the love of his life, Ariel Dunbar, who was also from Shelton.

Ted graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry on June 6, 1961. Soon afterward, he and Ariel welcomed two daughters, Teryl and Pamela.

In 1966, Ted and Ariel moved their family to Bellingham. They joined Faith Lutheran Church, where both were active in the choir, finance, and landscaping. Ted also began working in the forestry department at Georgia-Pacific.

Ted was promoted to chief forester in 1975 and resource manager in 1987. In 1990, he received another promotion, and he and Ariel moved to Fort Bragg in Northern California, where he managed forestry and logging operations.

After Ted retired, he and Ariel returned to Bellingham and once again became active members of Faith Lutheran Church. His hobbies included landscaping, boatbuilding, and woodworking. He also enjoyed bowling, helping his daughters with their horses, and traveling with Ariel.

Ted was preceded in death by his sister, Jerrine, and his wife, Ariel. He is survived by his daughters, Teryl Orrico and Pam Deer, and his granddaughters, Sarah and Paige Orrico.

Ted was a loving and kind husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

Services will be held Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2pm at Faith Lutheran Church (2750 McLeod Rd, Bellingham).

Memorials in Ted’s name may be made to Whatcom Hospice House.