Theodore Bernard Bruener III passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 85 years old. He was born on July 22, 1938, in Seattle, Washington, to Theodore Bernard Bruener II and Martha (Thomas) Bruener.
Ted was raised in Aberdeen, Washington, and attended Weatherwax High School and Grays Harbor College. He also attended the University of Oregon in Eugene and graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. During school, he enjoyed playing basketball and many other sports. After completing school, he had a business and accounting career, working in the Puget Sound region for the Boeing Corporation, Richfield Oil, and Nationwide Paper.
He married his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth Ann (Park) Bruener, on June 25, 1972, in Camas, Washington. They lived in Kirkland and Redmond before moving with their son, Theodore B. Bruener IV, back to the Aberdeen family home in 1990.
While in Redmond, Ted volunteered with Babe Ruth baseball as a coach and field pickup for teams his son (Mr. Ted) had played for.
Ted was an avid swimmer, rising at 4 a.m. many weekdays, heading to the Hoquiam YMCA to do laps and meet up with friends. He was also a lifelong duck hunter and trap shooter. His most memorable moment was when his son, Mr. Ted, took down his first duck in just one shot: reminiscing and sharing this hunting story with great warmth over the years.
He traveled to many places in the United States and Canada, including Hawaii and Disneyland, with his wife and son, where they made many cherished memories together. Later in life, he went on the trip of a lifetime, trekking to a grand lodge on a goose-hunting adventure in Canada with family and friends, which Ted spoke of fondly and often.
He was devoted and regularly attended church, particularly driving to Our Lady of the Olympics Catholic Church in Amanda Park, Washington, each week for decades.
After returning to the Harbor, unfortunately and unexpectedly, Ted and Liz’s only son, Mr. Ted, passed away in 1991. However, they turned this tragedy into love for the community. As a team, they made it their mission to create funding opportunities for scholarship programs at Hoquiam High School, for kids to attend summer camps; funding the creation of Mr. T’s Batting Cage in Hoquiam; consistently provided funding for Saint Mary’s School in Aberdeen; funding the creation of a new, professional quality baseball field and pole building for Quinault School; provided ongoing donations to PAWS of Grays Harbor; and, funding to Grays Harbor College. It was essential to both Ted and Liz to give back, and they did so quietly, without seeking recognition.
Ted is survived by his brother, William Michael Bruener, of Vancouver, Washington; many nieces and nephews; and several close friends, some like family. His parents, Theodore and Martha; his son, Ted Jr. (September 29, 1975 – July 11, 1991); his wife, Liz; and his brother, Frederick (Fred) Bruener, preceded him in death.
At 11 a.m., Thursday, February 29, 2024, a funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Olympics Catholic Church. A Rosary will be held at 10:45 a.m. before Mass at 6133 US Highway 101, Amanda Park, WA, 98526. Concluding service with vault interment will follow at the Quinault Cemetery, 427 South Shore Road, Quinault, WA 98575.
Arrangements made by Coleman Mortuary, 422 Fifth Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider donating to PAWS of Grays Harbor in the name of Theodore and Elizabeth Bruener: https://givebutter.com/pawsgh
