Teddy Bacon

Ted R. Bacon passed away on Saturday December 6, 2025. He was born in Butte, Montana on October 28,1935 to Blackwell Ray and Nettie Ellen Else Bacon. He spent his childhood on various ranches in the Big Hole Valley and came from pioneering stock of the
Valley on both sides. He was Ray and Nettie's first child and was later joined by his sister Shirley Ann and then a brother David Lester. Eventually a little sister Gail Marlene completed the family. He attended local rural schools and worked hard alongside his parents to build up the family cattle business which except for the two years he spent serving in the US Army he devoted his entire life to. He took over the operation of the Willey Ranch on the North Fork of The Big Hole River when his parents moved to a ranch near Wise River. He continued to live and work on the Willey Ranch until Ray secured a ranch in Sheridan, Montana and Ted moved to oversee that ranch. The Bacon Family formed a ranching corporation in 1979 and it became the Ray Bacon Ranch Company, Inc. The corporation included ranches in Wisdom, Wise River and Sheridan. The company officials were Ray, Nettie, Ted and David and was made up of their own individual cattle, equipment and a small percentage of stock for their daughters. Ted married Judith Adele Stone on February 14, 1980 at the Point of Rocks near Twin Bridges and by doing so, gained a daughter Joetta, whom he later adopted. They began a life together enjoying the everyday rhythm of calving, haying, irrigation and all that comes with agriculture. They worked to educate themselves on improving the genetics of the herd and started an AI program and shortened the calving season. They improved the nutrition program and the weaning weights. They always had a house full of cousins including the friends of Joetta's that needed a place to call home for a while.

In the 1990's Ted's health began to fail and it was decided the Sheridan Ranch was a little too work intensive and a decision was made to sell the Sheridan place and move to the Big Hole Ranch. Ted would enjoy ranching there for a while but after some time even that became too much and he was forced to turn his life's work over to his nephew Dennis Kirkpatrick and his family to carry on the family legacy. COVID affected Ted and the hard decision was made to move back to Sheridan with his daughter and her husband on the Wetzsteon place. Eventually his health became worse and he was moved into a care center. At Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center he received comfort and care through his final years. One of the greatest joys of his life was spending time with his grandchildren. He loved teaching them to ride horses, caring for cattle, and being good land stewards. He would have done anything for them. He had a strong work ethic and was a good man and will be dearly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of 46 plus years Judith A Bacon, daughter Joetta L Wetzsteon (Jeff H Swanson) of Livingston, Montana, sister Gail (John) Dooling, of Jackson, Montana, brother David Bacon of Wise River, Montana. Grandsons Keith Meredith and Nicholas (Brikayla Salerno) Meredith of Twin Bridges, Montana. Grandaughters Danielle (Jason Redfield) Meredith of Melrose, Montana, and Brittney Moore of West Valley, Utah. Great-Grandchildren Jonithan, Arthur, Eli and Jada and numerous nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Nettie Bacon, sister Shirley Grose, brothers-in-law Harry Grose and Donald "Buzz" Kirkpatrick, and son-in-law Gordon Wetzsteon. As per his wishes there will be no services. He will be cremated. His family will hold a celebration of his life and legacy at a later date.