Ted R. Lake, 57

Ted Lake of Kalispell died at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Sept. 12, 2009, after a short battle with cancer. Ted was born in Grants Pass, Ore., on Feb. 18, 1952, to Lucille Eldred and Arnold Lake. He spent his boyhood in Oregon and completed his education in various locations in that state.

In 1974, Ted moved to the Flathead Valley. Here be met Barbara Russell. They were married in May of 1976 and a daughter and son were born to them. His family was always the most important and loved part of his life.

Ted was employed as a machinist in the Kalispell area. For the last few years he was with Commercial Machine Services and helped with numerous custom and special orders. He was there for every customer and their needs.

In 1976, Ted was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was known throughout the valley for his love of Bible principles and his God Jehovah. He served faithfully in several congregations in various capacities. His kind and gentle demeanor, along with his unselfish heart, were treasured by all who knew him.

The out of doors was Ted's "home." He loved backpacking, camping and elk hunting in the high country. No one was a faster or more successful shot on ducks and geese than Ted. He and Barbara had their home in the privacy of the hills in Kila and loved seeing the wildlife around them.

In the cold winter months Ted enjoyed his woodworking projects, and many friends have pens he crafted for them.

Ted was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Lake, and his mother, Opal Lucille Eldred.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of Kila; daughter, Erran and her husband, Cameron Bradley, of Kalispell; and son, Travis, and his wife, Cecilia, and their children Briar and Ivy, also of Kalispell; his stepmother Glee Lake, brother Allen Lake, and stepbrother Jim Lynch, all of Oregon; sisters, Kathy Acre of Kentucky, and Violet Mack of Everett, Wash. Ted is also survived by a number of other family members throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Buffalo Hills Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the cremation. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the West Valley School's new gymnasium, located at the intersection of West Reserve Drive and Farm to Market Road in Kalispell.