Theodore (Ted) John Stortz

Theodore J. Stortz has been a resident of Cottonwood for ten years. He passed peacefully on May 21, 2025, at 7:30 am due to ongoing health issues. Ted had his 89th birthday on April 9, 2025. He is survived by his daughter Charlotte Ryder, husband Bill, and their children in Hart, Michigan: Laura Ryder (48), Chris Ryder (46) and his wife Annie (44), Mark MacDonald (40), Jerami Ryder (39), Amanda (35) and husband Allan Powers, Stephen Ryder (34), and Jessica Ryder (33).

 Ted’s eldest daughter, Debbie, AKA Jennifer, preceded him in death on March 1, 2014. Her two children are Michelle Moran Morris and Robert Moran. Granddaughter Michelle and her husband, Joshua Morris of Hilo, Hawaii, are parents to Juliann Wood (28), Joshua Morris (24), Jeremiah Morris (21), Joseph Morris (19), and Josephine Morris (15). Ted had one brother, Ron Stortz, deceased. Ron’s children: Ron Jr., Linda Stortz, and Sheila Stortz. Both of his parents, Theodore Stortz Senior and Julia Stortz, are also deceased. 

In Ted’s younger days, he loved to dance, travel, explore, sing, play guitar, and write song lyrics. He was a skilled cabinetmaker for many years, owned an Orange Julius franchise, and designed a clothing line called ChoDee of California, combining the names of his two daughters, Cholly & Debbie. Ted held the distinction of being the original owner of the very first commercially sold Fender Stratocaster—serial number #0100—in 1954. That historic guitar was sold a decade ago for $250,000 by the late curator of the Fender Gallery at the Fullerton Museum Center, and is now owned by an anonymous private collector. The guitar was sold back in the late 70’s for personal reasons and remained a deep regret till the day he passed. Ted wore different hats throughout this life and was known for his kindness and various talents. He loved his family deeply. Rest well…you are loved by many and will be sorely missed.

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