Lathan "TED" Shrum

Lathan ‘Ted’ Shrum entered into his heavenly Father’s arms on March 27, 2021. Ted’s great joy was spending time with his family, his time with the Air Force, his love for his Country, and his Masonic Fraternity which he joined on July 28. 1964 at Alpha Lodge No. 172, F&AM, Fort Walton Beach while stationed in Florida. He loved the outdoors … fishing, boating, snowmobiling, ranching, farming, gardening and hunting in the Blue Mountains. He enjoyed a nice lawn and had it at whatever military base he was assigned! He taught the local children in the L.A. suburbs that carrots did grow in the ground! Ted was born June 26th, 1934 in Dallas, North Carolina to Marvin and Pinkie Schrum, the youngest of seven children. He entered the US Air Force the day he was 17 and received his GED while in the military. He graduated with a BA in Government from Eastern Washington University. His military career lasted 26.5 years, attaining the rank of E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant). He was a Veteran of Korea and Vietnam; plus spending time in French Indochina, England, Scotland, Laos, Cambodia, Turkey, Greece, Cyrus, etc. –usually in a ‘clandestine’ role. He was an Air Commando. He attained many awards, among which were the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1st & 2nd Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; Airman of the Month at Geiger Field and again in Los Angeles. What was admired the most was his unselfish contribution to our Nation. Ted is survived by his wife, Connie (Flerchinger), sons Bradley Ted (Shardell), Douglas Eugene, and Christopher Michael, and daughter, Teresa Rae Stapleton (Dale); 5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. All his siblings have passed in the sequence of which they were born. He is survived by his in-laws - Marcus & Lee Flerchinger, Clarkston, and their children. One sister-in-law Ruth Schrum survives in NC along with his numerous nieces and nephews. After retirement, Ted & Connie purchased some land, some cows, some haying equipment and he became a farmer/rancher – skills that were taught to him by his father-in-law Orville Flerchinger, Clarkston/Pomeroy. Ted only knew how to raise cotton. Later, after retirement on the Pend Oreille River, he & Connie helped build their all-cedar home. He ran successfully for two terms as Pend Oreille Fire Protection District #4 Commissioner. He was a Seventh Degree Grange Member. He was very active in the Newport Masonic Lodge No. 144, where he served as Worshipful Master twice. He was also active in the Grand Lodge of Masons in WA, serving on various committees, - Grand Chaplain three times, Grand Marshal twice, Grand Historian, and Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 30. He received his Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Cap and Award in Charleston, SC in 2001. This degree and being a 50 plus year member of the Masonic Lodge made him the most proud. He was also a member of the Spokane Valley Scottish Rite Bodies, serving as Personal Representative of the Valley of Spokane, 2000-2007; El Katif Shrine, an honorary member of the Order of the DeMolay, a Charter Lifetime Member of Grand Mound Historic Lodge No. 3, a Life Member of Bannack Historic Lodge, Montana and Life Member of Zillah Chapter #111,OES, Newport. Ted taught his beloved wife Connie how to live, laugh and love. She was so grateful and blessed to have him in her life! He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to thank the services of Spokane County Fire District #10, and DR. Mirko Zugec, Meghan and Sheila for all their support during the years. Contributions in Ted’s name may be made to the ‘Spokane Early Life Speech & Language’, 506 W 2nd AVE., Spokane, WA 99201. Funeral arrangements have been made for July 23rd, 11:00 AM at Riplinger’s Funeral Home, North Division, followed by a graveside service at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola RD, Medical Lake, 2:30 PM.