Ted Waters was born October 7, 1939, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas, to Devon and Georgia (Carlisle) Waters.  He grew up with his brother Dick on the family homestead in the Wilburn neighborhood north of Fowler, fishing and boating in Crooked Creek, parachuting out of the haymow with Georgia's linen sheets, riding horses, and running across the farmyard after school to pop in on Grandma Waters.  He attended Fowler schools, graduating with the class of '57, and remained in Fowler the rest of his life.  After his father died, Ted returned from the Army to work the family farm, where he added irrigation and expanded acreage.  Ted married Dana Poteet in 1963 and they had two sons: Shane, who preceded him in death in 2021, and JA.

Ted's favorite part of farming was raising and marketing cattle, especially his cow herd and the baby calves.  He enjoyed observing wild life while tending to his farming, and he always left a windmill running so they could water.

Cars were Ted's other passion, preferably fast ones.  He could hardly wait for his pickup or car to get enough miles on it to trade it for a new ride.  Ted's shed was filled with his carefully restored classic cars, and he and his like-minded friends spent happy hours tinkering with them.  He and Dana took many trips in his '62 Corvette, and he enjoyed cruising in his '59 Impala.

When Ted wasn't on a tractor he could be found with his dog, stopped somewhere chewing the fat with his friends.  He was clever and funny and always changed Dana's bad mood by making her laugh.  Ted knew everyone in the country, and he referred to nearly everyone as his good friend because mostly they were.

Ted was proud of his two boys and his seven grandchildren; his eight great-grandchildren lit up his smile.

Ted was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Wichita Scottish Rite, MIdian Shrine, and his service on the Fowler Equity Board for several years included a stint as president.

After a lengthy decline, Ted passed away in his sleep on January 17.  He was a much loved part of his community and the surrounding area, and he will be missed.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Fowler Friends Church.  Interment will follow in the Fowler Cemetery.  Cremation has taken place.

The family would welcome memorials to the Fowler Residential Care Center or the Fowler Legacy Foundation in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.