Edward "Ted" Pike

TED PIKE IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Edward Wallace “Ted” Pike died 19 May 2009 at EIRMC. He was born 27 May 1924 to Raymond C. and Marybelle Hardy Pike. He and his three brothers, Robert, Douglas and William, grew up in Cornish, Utah in a house whose walls were lined with books. From the examples his parents set, Ted gained a moral compass that guided him throughout his life. Three of the many principles he learned are the lifelong curiosity that comes from an unquenchable thirst for learning, the peaceful night’s rest awarded for honesty and integrity, and the deep satisfaction of a “good” tired after a hard day’s work. World War II interrupted his college education after the first year. Ted enlisted in the Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force. He was invited to join the Air Corps Band as a percussionist and as such he would have avoided combat. Instead, he chose to become a navigator and served in the thick of battle with the 15th Air Force, stationed in Cerignola, Italy. At the end of his tour he continued his education at the University of Utah and was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1950, exercising this license until his death. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War, he served as a navigator, administrative officer, and legal officer. While home on leave, he took and passed the Idaho State Bar in 1952. When he used his storytelling ability to talk about the war it was through his ineffable sense of humor, remembering the absurdity in the chaos. After completing his second tour he settled in Idaho Falls. Following in his grandfather Edward R. Pike’s footsteps, (Juab, Utah nine-term county attorney and later judge) Ted served as Bonneville Prosecuting Attorney. Over his 57 years of practice in Idaho he has received many awards and special recognitions. The latest was in 2007 when he was chosen by the Idaho State Bar Association to receive the prestigious Distinguished Lawyer Award. His greatest award is the gratitude and respect from the thousands whose lives have benefited from associating with him. He served as both Chair of the Bonneville County Democratic Party, and a state committeeman. Counted among his friends were Senator Frank Church, Governor John Evans and Congressmen Orville Hanson, Ralph Harding and Richard Stallings. Pilot, percussionist, partner and parent, Ted, who described himself as a simple country lawyer, was the embodiment of an officer and a gentleman. Ted is survived by his wife, Alice Pike; his brother, William (Ruth) Pike; five children: Peggy Pike, Kathryn (Mark) Whiteside, Jon Pike, Tamara (Chad) Sneddon, Alexis (Jerone Carpenter) Pike; six step-children: Wayne Miller, Mark Miller, Shaine White, Jennifer White, Bethanie White, and Andrew White; and ten grandchildren: Julieann (Paul Cardenas) Myers, Joshua (Hazuki) Pike, Sadie Grusin, Erika Whiteside, Megan Whiteside, Ian Sneddon, Isabel Sneddon, Justice Carpenter, Malachi Skillman and Mirabella Skillman. Ted is also survived by his former wives and dear friends, Doris Pike, Carolyn Jenkins and Dona King. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Robert Pike and Douglas Pike. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ted Pike Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Bank of Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Memorial services in celebration of Ted’s life will be held 6 June 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at Aero Mark (Idaho Falls Airport), 2000 International Way, Idaho Falls, Idaho. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences Received Online: Tami Nichols Tami.Nichols@ch2m.com To the Loving Family of Ted, We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful and caring man. Ted will be missed by the many lives he's touched in various ways. His legacy will live on and faith tells us that we will see him again. There is a poem that has been very comforting for me that I’d like to share with you: "We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again." May the light of the Lord be every attempt to fill the loss and hurt that you must feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love to you all, Tami & Joe Nichols Randy and Cindy Pike rpike@co.clark.nv.us We are so sorry to hear about Uncle Ted. He was an inspiration to me personally and professionally. Cindy and I send our love, and have arranged to be there on the 6th to extend our love and concern in person. Love, Randy Wayne O. Miller miller99@llnl.gov Ted was a giant figure in Idaho Falls, and played a major role in my life as stepfather. He will be missed by many. I share your grief at his loss, but this is tempered by knowing he lived a full and rich life that kept him smiling every day as he went to work and returned at night to his family and many friends. Bless you all. Wayne Miller Linda Martin Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Mr. Pike was a kind and generous man. I'm very happy that I had a chance to meet him and am grateful for his help. May the Lord comfort and sustain you. Sincerely, Linda Martin and the Ray Collins Family Deserii Thompson (Polson) Thompsod@dhw.idaho.gov Dear Alexis and family, My prayers are with you in this difficult time. May you find comfort in God's graces and may he ease your heartache. Sincerely, Deserii Thompson (Polson) Penny Stanford penny@mudlake.net I was so sorry to learn today of Ted's passing. He was so unfailingly kind and generous to me, with his time, good advice, and constant support. He will always have a warm spot in my heart and I will miss him. May God grant you every comfort, and thanks for sharing him with all of us. Penny Stanford Rae Kay Nelson raekaynelson@comcast.net Pike Family, Ted was an important presence in my life since 1958, when I first started to babysit Peggy, Kathy and Jon on Halsey Street. He has been a good-time friend, personal friend, legal friend, and the all-time gentleman. Ted and I have a lifetime of great fun stories of our many escapades to remember. Let me know if you would ever like to hear again those crazy times. He is so missed and forever remembered as my favorite gentleman. Wonderful! -- "Ted Pike Memorial Scholarship Fund" My sympathies are with you during this difficult celebration of a great man's life. Warmest personal regards, Rae Kay (Hosie) Nelson Tami Thatcher tzt@srv.net Somehow I expected Ted Pike to live to be 100 without being sick a day. Well, I know that Ted will be greatly missed and that brings tears to me. When Ted and Alice helped me with legal challenges, I was able to witness two people who were evidence that there was still some good in the world. Pragmatic and straight-talking in their advice to me, they understood all shades of workings in the world that I naively had not understood. They had basically nothing to gain by helping me. And their support made such a difference to me. There really was no other legal firm in Idaho Falls willing to take on what they were willing to take on. Ted, the world was a better place with you in it, it is a better place because of you, and I am grateful for your kindness to me. Tami Thatcher Dale W Storer dstorer@holdenlegal.com Please accept my deepest condolences for Ted's passing. Ted was a good friend, mentor, and above all no finer example of a professional. Ted introduced me to the practice of law, mentored me in what true lawyering is all about. Much of what success I have achieved is attributable to the skills Ted taught me as a young lawyer. Ted was a true professional---a lawyer's lawyer and above all a gentleman. Ted was always fair, impeccably honest and his word was his bond. I have never seen a more skillful lawyer. Numerous times I saw him win cases that never should have been won. Never however was it through deceit, sand-bagging or obstructionist tactics. Rather Ted had this innate ability to find something that would turn the case, improve his clients position or advance his client's cause. A giant in the forest has truly fallen. We will all miss him very much. It was a true honor to have worked with him. Joel Cleverley My condolences to Ted Pike's family. Stephen Clark sclark@co.bonneville.id.us It has been an honor to know and on occassion oppose Ted. He was always a gentleman both in and out of Court. To him the law was indeed a profession and not a business. I respected and appreciated him as a lawyer and a person.