Teddy Steven Gitts

Teddy Steven Gitts was born January 1, 1954, in Bellingham, Washington to Margaret and Nick Gitts. He passed away peacefully in the presence of family on the afternoon of July 13, in Portland, Oregon. Ted, as he preferred to be known, grew up on his parents' dairy farm on Laurel Road near Ferndale, Washington, with his two sisters, Nancy and Victoria, and two brothers, Nicholas and Gary. At the age of nine, his parents purchased Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. He would spend the rest of his life living on or near the farm. In the summer of 1973, he graduated from Canby Union High School. He went on to gain experience in multiple trades and crafts, but, eventually, partnered with his older brother, Nicholas, and purchased the farm from thier parents. Ted was an avid fisherman and hunter, who took every opportunity to get away and enjoy those hobbies. Every summer, he would spend weeks fishing the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska and most falls hunting the hills of Eastern Oregon. He took pride in being very skilled in nearly everything that he did. Ted was an extremely giving and loving father, grandfather, husband, brother, son and friend to many. He was constantly creating new connections between his friends and family. He was described by many as a very strong man with a very soft heart. Ted is survived by his two sons, Brandon James, 32, and Derek Sean, 30; and granddaughters, Zoey Rey, 3, and Leila Savanna Rose, 2. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held for family and close friends at the Canby Grove Conference Center Tabernacle Room, Saturday, July 20, at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oregon Nongame Wildlife Fund, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303. The family would like to express thier deepest gratitude to the OHSU trauma unit, a truly special group of individuals. Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel. www.canbymolallafuneralchapels.com