Theodore “Ted” Moorehead Jr. was born to Theodore Moorehead and Isabel Moorehead (Whipple) on Dec. 9, 1928 in Smith River and passed away in his home on April 13, 2016.

Ted was a Tolowa elder who grew up throughout Humboldt and Del Norte Counties but eventually called Big Lagoon Rancheria home, with his beloved wife Beverly Moorehead. Although he spent the majority of his life in Big Lagoon, Ted believed Tolowa to always be in his heart.

Ted attended Eureka High School, where he was a multi-sport star playing basketball, track and was the quarterback for the football team his senior year. He loved participating in sports and eventually instilled this passion in his children and grandchildren. After graduating from Eureka High in 1946 he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly fought for his people in the Korean War. Ted married the love of his live Beverley Williams in 1958 and together they raised six children (Virgil Moorehead, Roger Moorehead, Holly Moorehead, Peter Lara, Frank Lara, and Dale Lara).

Throughout his life Ted held various jobs. He was a general construction laborer, worked in the forest industry and mills, and ultimately settled in as a longshoreman. He was part of the International Longshoreman Warehouse Union, Local 14, in Eureka, where he worked steadfastly for over 22 years before retiring. During his time as a longshoreman, he traveled throughout the West Coast, working on numerous ports such as Long Beach, Sacramento and Portland. Ted was proud of this work and took great pride in being responsible, accountable and a hard worker. Indeed, Ted loved to work hard and was admired by many for his dedicated and relentless work ethic.

Besides work, Ted had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed trips to casinos with his wife Beverley. Whether going to the local casinos in Trinidad, Blue Lake or Bear River or taking trips to Reno and Wendover, Nevada, Ted loved to play poker and 21. He would play for hours while waiting for his wife to dance to the Music of Merv George. Ted also loved sports. When he was in good health he never missed one of his grandchild’s sporting events and supported them as best as he could. Ted loved the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. He rarely missed watching on either on TV or listening to his Giants on the radio. Throughout his life you could find him sitting in front of the TV with his Giants baseball gap on and his wife Beverley sitting next to him or working in the garage and rooting for the Giants on the radio.

Ted loved staying busy and had incredible talent for working on cars. He enjoyed being outdoors and fixing up Mustangs. Ted’s love for his wife Beverly Moorehead was unmatched. For 58 years he loved Beverley with all that he had. Whether it was driving to the store or cleaning up around the house his love for Beverley was profoundly deep. Ted would do absolutely anything to put a smile on his wife’s face. Undeniably, Ted and Beverly were inseparable and they loved their family and friends with all their hearts.

Ted is preceded in death by his father, Theodore Moorehead Sr. and mother Isabell Moorehead (Whipple); his father-in-law and mother-in-law Thomas and Lila Williams; his sisters Ramona Weatherford, Ione Henshaw, Beverly James; his brother-in-law Thomas “Tommy” Williams; his children Roger Moorehead and Holly Moorehead; daughter-in-law Kathy Gilham. Ted is survived by his brother, Richard Moorehead “Butch”; sons Frank Lara, Dale Lara, Peter & Kim Lara and Virgil Moorehead; and daughter-in-laws Pat Moorhead, Lori Gandolfo ,Fran Pederson; sister-in-law Juanita Williams, niece Stormy Williams, grandchildren Shawna (David) Neyra, Thurman Henderson, Roger Lara, Virgil Moorehead, Jr., Nikkie Lara, Libby Hunter, Thomas Lara, Dayton Moorehead , Casey Pederson, Travis Pederson and Holly Lara; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers are:

Wesley Crawford, Lloyd Ballew, Frank Rojas, Jack Birdwell, Rick Moorehead, Jesse Sherman,

Honorary Pallbearers:

Dayton Moorehead, Roger Lara, Thomas Lara, Ceil “Sharky” Sherman, William Hinshaw, George Hinshaw Jr., Joe Sherman , Otto Hodge

Ted’s Memorial Services will be held at Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home 1835 E Streets, Eureka. Following the services, Ted will be laid to rest in the family plot at Big Lagoon Rancheria. Family and friends are invited to join us at the Big Lagoon Elementary School after he is laid to rest. The viewing will be held on Monday April 18, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home.

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The obituary above was submitted by Ted Moorehead’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.