Celebration of life party is Sunday for Ted Mattingly

On April 6, 1976, Theodore E. Mattingly Jr. took his first breath and on Nov. 28, was his last. He was 44.

Ted was born on an airbase in Big Springs, Texas, to Rozanna (Weaver) Slifer and Ted Mattingly Sr. Over the years, he grew into a boy who worked hard and played harder. In January 1996, Ted decided to join the U.S. Army as a light duty vehicle mechanic. His military service brought him all over the world, but most importantly, to Japan, where he met his future wife, Mary.

In March 2000, Ted and Mary (Otis) tied the knot and within a couple of years, they were raising two kids: Christian Keith and Alyssa Jewell.

After serving in the Army for seven years, Ted and the family landed back in Michigan where he continued his work in the diesel maintenance field. When Ted was not working, he was busy making memories with his family hunting, fishing or building something in the barn.

Ted was diagnosed in 2017 with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer. He fought hard for his life and for his family up until the day he passed.

Continuing his legacy are his wife; children; dogs larger than life; mom; sisters- Jackie Garrison, Samantha Mattingly, and Roberta Adams; several nieces and nephews; along with aunts and uncles and cousins, along with an abundance of the best friends a guy could ever ask for.

A celebration of life party will be held in honor of Ted at Crosswind Community Church, 1683 142nd Ave, Dorr, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. To help celebrate Ted style, if able, bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish to share with others after the service along with a tool that reminds you of Ted. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and mask wearing when social distancing is not possible is highly encouraged.

A military service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Ted’s giving nature- please consider helping out a friend or stranger in need instead.

And if you find yourself alone in the woods and happen to catch a glimpse of Sasquatch, don’t be afraid, it’s just Ted stopping by to say hi.