Obituary for Elbert Theodore "Ted" Bonner
Elbert Theodore “Ted” Bonner
1936 - 2021
Elbert Theodore “Ted” Bonner left this world and was embraced by the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 4, 2021. A sincere man of faith and a staunch family man, Ted left this world surrounded by the love & presence of family, most especially his loving wife of 66 years, Norma Faye (Long).
Coming into this world on November 7, 1936 in Arkansas, Ted was the eldest of two children born to Ulus “Doc” & Catherine Bonner. Ted attended schools in both the Taft and Bakersfield areas (including at Taft Union High School), as well as in the Santa Paula area, ultimately graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1954. A proud enlisted man in the United States Navy beginning in June 1954, Ted spent his military service years as a submariner aboard the USS Bream with stops on his tours of duty in the Pacific Southwest and Asia during the Korean War-era. On one of the proudest moments of his lifetime, Ted joined in holy matrimony with the love of his life Norma on December 3, 1954.
After returning to civilian life, Ted spent more than four decades as a butcher & meat-cutter for various local grocers, as well as in various other industries throughout the area. Ted (along with Norma) was a proud, longtime members of First Baptist Church of Taft, CA.
Ted was proceeded into the afterlife by both of his parents, newborn son Brian, as well as his sister-in-law Donna Owen (Long), his brothers-in-law Lynn Hurtt and Robert “Bob” Mankin, and his son-in-law Ronald “Ron” Rofkahr.
His loving family left to “catch up” to him in Heaven include his beautiful wife Norma, his sister Suzi Mankin of Seattle Oak Harbor, WA, sister-in-law Jo Hurtt of Mountain View, MO, brother-in-law Mike and wife Becky Long of Taft, CA, brother-in-law Steve and wife Deavonne Long of Osage Beach, MO, daughter Kim Rofkahr of Bear Valley Springs, CA, daughter Cindy Johns & her husband Tim, son Greg Bonner & his wife Nancy, and his grandchildren & their families: Amie Tabbytosivit & sons Seth and Carson; Justin Johns & wife Ashley and their three children Carver, Brody, & Audrey; Jennifer Gonzeles; Alicia Bryant & husband Josh alongside their three boys Drew, Parker, and Ty; Brandon Gonzales & wife Amber along with their daughter Charlie (with another baby boy on the way); Jordan Bonner & fiancé Jeff Cover with their son Kyson and daughter Ryanne; Roia Schock & husband Don along with daughter Haven (and baby boy Declan on the way); Gavin Bonner & wife Morgan along with daughter Luci; Hunter Liljeroos; Sawyer Maier; and countless other extended family members.
Celebration of life is planned for 11:00 A.M. on February 11, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Taft. Internment with military honors will convene at the Bakersfield National Cemetery shortly thereafter.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to one of Ted’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House, or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time.
1936 - 2021
Elbert Theodore “Ted” Bonner left this world and was embraced by the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 4, 2021. A sincere man of faith and a staunch family man, Ted left this world surrounded by the love & presence of family, most especially his loving wife of 66 years, Norma Faye (Long).
Coming into this world on November 7, 1936 in Arkansas, Ted was the eldest of two children born to Ulus “Doc” & Catherine Bonner. Ted attended schools in both the Taft and Bakersfield areas (including at Taft Union High School), as well as in the Santa Paula area, ultimately graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1954. A proud enlisted man in the United States Navy beginning in June 1954, Ted spent his military service years as a submariner aboard the USS Bream with stops on his tours of duty in the Pacific Southwest and Asia during the Korean War-era. On one of the proudest moments of his lifetime, Ted joined in holy matrimony with the love of his life Norma on December 3, 1954.
After returning to civilian life, Ted spent more than four decades as a butcher & meat-cutter for various local grocers, as well as in various other industries throughout the area. Ted (along with Norma) was a proud, longtime members of First Baptist Church of Taft, CA.
Ted was proceeded into the afterlife by both of his parents, newborn son Brian, as well as his sister-in-law Donna Owen (Long), his brothers-in-law Lynn Hurtt and Robert “Bob” Mankin, and his son-in-law Ronald “Ron” Rofkahr.
His loving family left to “catch up” to him in Heaven include his beautiful wife Norma, his sister Suzi Mankin of Seattle Oak Harbor, WA, sister-in-law Jo Hurtt of Mountain View, MO, brother-in-law Mike and wife Becky Long of Taft, CA, brother-in-law Steve and wife Deavonne Long of Osage Beach, MO, daughter Kim Rofkahr of Bear Valley Springs, CA, daughter Cindy Johns & her husband Tim, son Greg Bonner & his wife Nancy, and his grandchildren & their families: Amie Tabbytosivit & sons Seth and Carson; Justin Johns & wife Ashley and their three children Carver, Brody, & Audrey; Jennifer Gonzeles; Alicia Bryant & husband Josh alongside their three boys Drew, Parker, and Ty; Brandon Gonzales & wife Amber along with their daughter Charlie (with another baby boy on the way); Jordan Bonner & fiancé Jeff Cover with their son Kyson and daughter Ryanne; Roia Schock & husband Don along with daughter Haven (and baby boy Declan on the way); Gavin Bonner & wife Morgan along with daughter Luci; Hunter Liljeroos; Sawyer Maier; and countless other extended family members.
Celebration of life is planned for 11:00 A.M. on February 11, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Taft. Internment with military honors will convene at the Bakersfield National Cemetery shortly thereafter.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to one of Ted’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House, or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time.