Theodore (Ted) Escott, 76, died December 12, 2015, surrounded by family at his home in Tacoma, Washington. Funeral services will be held at St. Leo’s Church on Tuesday, January 5, 2015, at 12:10pm. Address of St. Leo’s is 710 S. 13th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405. Ted was born in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was the oldest child of Lucy and Tom Escott. He is survived by his wife Mary Milton-Escott; his step-children Miranda and Jackson Milton; his children Scott Escott (Pam), Richard Escott (Penny), Victoria Brown, John Escott (Tiffany), and Stacie Escott (Charles); his grandchildren Ryan, Amber, Shantelle, Taylor, Tanisha, Ashya, Duckey, Noah, Lakota, Gabi, Ariana, and Coryn; his great grandchild Adalee; his brother Bill Escott and his sister Shelley Hallowell (Rusty); nieces and nephews; and his first wife Pam Escott. Ted is preceded in death by his son Vincent Escott and his two granddaughters Tresina and Isabel. Ted was raised in Faith, South Dakota. He learned how to love and live by the salt of the earth teachings of his parents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He shared many colorful stories about their family diner The Saddle Rock Café and the adventures of growing up in a small, mid-west town. When Ted was 19 years old he left South Dakota and headed for boot camp in San Diego, California. He became a Radioman for the Navy and also spent time in the National Guard. Ted served two tours in Viet Nam. He was very thankful to return home “with all of (his) fingers and toes” and grieved for the many broken lives he witnessed there. Ted’s experiences taught him how to love, purely and steadfastly. In his later life he met his soul mate Mary and found a grateful recipient for his capacity to love. His family has blossomed from his gift of love and will now be his legacy; continuing on in his name, loving each other purely and steadfastly.