Beloved local celebrity clown J.P. Patches dies
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SEATTLE - Chris Wedes, who played beloved local celebrity clown J.P. Patches and entertained generations of kids and adults during a career spanning more than 50 years, died Sunday. He was 84.
His family was at his bedside at his death and confirmed that he passed away Sunday morning.
"We've lost an institution," said his widow, who was married to Wedes for 56 years.
The Emmy Award-winning J.P. Patches Show was one of the longest-running locally-produced children's television programs in the United States, appearing on Seattle TV station KIRO channel 7 from 1958 to 1981.
J.P. was the "Mayor of the City Dump", where he lived in a shack and welcomed frequent guests: Seattle boy scout and girl scout troops, various local and national celebrities. Among his more well-known guests were Colonel Sanders, Jacques Cousteau, Slim Pickens and Tiny Tim.
He also had a beloved cast of supporting characters - Gertrude, Boris S. Wort, Grizwold, Esmerelda and Tikey Turkey.
Many children signed up to be "Patches Pals," and J.P. announced some of their birthdays by "viewing" them on his "ICU2TV" set (a cardboard prop that created the appearance that J.P. was looking at you from inside your television).
J.P. Patches (the J.P. stood for Julius Pierpont) also made frequent fundraising appearances for local charities. He was a common sight at Children's Hospital, visiting sick kids and promoting the work of the hospital.
Wedes had suffered from a form of blood cancer for the past six years, yet still kept up a schedule of performances at county fairs and other venues. He gave his last performance in September 2011 at Fishermen's Terminal.
Shelly Cohen, who watched J.P. while growing up on Queen Anne in the 1960s and attended his last show, said he always connected with others "because he's so real."
"He's a real person, a real clown, and just amazing," says Shelly.
His family was at his bedside at his death and confirmed that he passed away Sunday morning.
"We've lost an institution," said his widow, who was married to Wedes for 56 years.
The Emmy Award-winning J.P. Patches Show was one of the longest-running locally-produced children's television programs in the United States, appearing on Seattle TV station KIRO channel 7 from 1958 to 1981.
J.P. was the "Mayor of the City Dump", where he lived in a shack and welcomed frequent guests: Seattle boy scout and girl scout troops, various local and national celebrities. Among his more well-known guests were Colonel Sanders, Jacques Cousteau, Slim Pickens and Tiny Tim.
He also had a beloved cast of supporting characters - Gertrude, Boris S. Wort, Grizwold, Esmerelda and Tikey Turkey.
Many children signed up to be "Patches Pals," and J.P. announced some of their birthdays by "viewing" them on his "ICU2TV" set (a cardboard prop that created the appearance that J.P. was looking at you from inside your television).
J.P. Patches (the J.P. stood for Julius Pierpont) also made frequent fundraising appearances for local charities. He was a common sight at Children's Hospital, visiting sick kids and promoting the work of the hospital.
Wedes had suffered from a form of blood cancer for the past six years, yet still kept up a schedule of performances at county fairs and other venues. He gave his last performance in September 2011 at Fishermen's Terminal.
Shelly Cohen, who watched J.P. while growing up on Queen Anne in the 1960s and attended his last show, said he always connected with others "because he's so real."
"He's a real person, a real clown, and just amazing," says Shelly.
Way to copy and paste Wikipedia of all things.Â
Along with J.P. Patches, I remember "Wunda Wunda" and the Stan Boreson show and Captain Puget...My kids got to see J P at an opening of a new Payless store in Kent, WA ...in the fall of 1977.. It was the first time I actually got to see J.P. in person.. He was great! He will always be the greatest!  Like others he made me laugh in the morning..We will always remember and cherish "J.P.".
I love JP and just thinking of him will forever bring a smile to my face and remind me of the many laughs, smiles, and happy mornings I had watching him....I'm sorry that my son will not have such a wonderful character to remember...these days there is nothing like JP for our children...Thank you Chris Wedes AKA JP Patches I'm sure your bringing many smiles to those beyound who your with now...RIP...
Like a million other kids we watched JP up in Stanwood all through the 60's and early 70's. How I wish I could of met him in person before he died. He was Seattle's top kiddie host and one of the best nation wide (in my opinion) Rest in peace JP and thank you for being a memorable part of my childhood. JD
We have lived in Nevada for years now but our sons who are 50 and 48 both having 4 children of their own were raised with JP Patches. The music would come on and the house would go quiet for a few minutes and then be filled with laughter.
Ageless.
Timeless.
AÂ classic.Â
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Every generation exposed to JP, LOVED JP. My son will be 21 in 2 weeks - at first, he thought I was going to show him "some stupid old show" - but then he saw JP & was hooked.
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We are ALL, all the Patches Pals around the world, a little sadder today, all feeling like we have lost a special piece of our childhoods.
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Thank you JP, Gertrude, all the csat of characters, and most importantly the Weddes Family for sharing him with us all.
Lindsey Cohen: Â Â Why are you calling him "Patches"? Â He was called JP - although you didn't live here, you might do a little more research on the matter!! Â They should have had someone reporting who knew more about him and the joy he brought to so many.
@Joan Guier: As someone who was born & raised here, I can say with "authority" his name WAS JP Patches - those who watched & loved him called him simply JP.
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Quit denigrating the reporter on this story - they apparently know more than you do.Â
I remember his show very well. Two other guests were Sturdley the Book Worm & Professor Wiener Von Brown. JP Patches will be missed by many generations. Thanks for the fun memories, Ken Sanders.
 @Ken Sanders Don't forget BeBop Buzzard! Then there were the bad clowns, PJ Scratches and IM Rags.
Local Celebrity clown? that doesn't really describe him. He was a Seattle and Northwest icon, a childhood friend, and so much more. He will be missed.
JP belonged to the Seattle of old... the one those of us who have been here all along remember... the one that doesn't exist anymore now that it has been replaced with fancy buildings and software geeks, and greed.
 @JimandKristi JimKristi I was thinking the same thing whenever I see
a photo of Seattle from the mid 70's, It used to be a fascinating town to explore before the software moguls knocked everything down and turned it into another Bellevue.
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@JimandKristi JimKristi: There are still bits & pieces of "Old Seattle" to be found - you just have to look & search. Too bad - I think it was a WAY better Seattle than the one we have now.
We will miss you JP, you came into my young life and you were there at Childre's Hospital for my daughter. RIP
i remember jp and had a picture done when i was 13 at the widco pinic steam plant centralia wash after a few years i wanted the pic that my mother gave me god bless her soul i finally got my moment at ssw fair in centralia and my picture i also got to see his statue and pi with it i love you jp patches your my hero love Denise
my brothers and I watched JP everyday. when we were kids. he will be missed greatly.
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RIP, JP!! You made our childhoods a lot happier.........I now feel a lot older!!
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THANK-YOU JP FOR ALL THE YEARS OF HELPING GETTINGÂ ME READY FOR SCHOOL EVERYDAY. IAM A 61 YEAR OLD DAD, GRANDPA WHO WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO LOOK UP TO. WISH THE KIDS TODAY HAD SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO WATCH EVERYDAY, BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE LOTS LESSÂ TROUBLE IN THE WORLD.TC GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND A BIG THANK-YOU TO THEM FOR SHARING YOU WITH US. DAVE IN SUMAS.
 @papabear51 A suggestion for you, papabear: if you turn off your caps lock, your post would be easier to read. An ALL CAPS post is the internet equivalent of shouting, and is considered rude. Some forum administrators will actually remove any posts that are in ALL CAPS...just an FYI to you. :-)
thanks JP, for the wonderful memories and being a great and eternal part of Seattle's culture.Â
Not everyone grew up with JP Patches. We did not have a television when I was growing up during the 60s and 70s. I only have a passing acquaintance with his character. I'm sorry I missed that part of growing up, but then I have a rich heritage of books and libraries that I probably wouldn't have had if I had been a part of the TV generation.
Believe it or not Silvia, you can have both. I know that for a fact, because I did.
 @justmyopinion Sorry, but you can't always have both. We grew up listening to *radio* programs on Saturday mornings. Summers were spent reading books and acting out stories that we'd read. Without access to the visual media of television, we relied *exclusively* on books and radio programs for family entertainment. That sort of upbringing left a huge, positive impact on my life. To this day I read; my life is filled with books of all sorts; we have a television in our home, but we rarely turn it on (once in the last year)...My dh grew up with books and television, but he often says that he envies the upbringing I had...
 @Furd As I sit here at Oxford University in England, mourning the death of a great humanitarian and wonderful human being, I can happily look at the many books I have authored and published, the many many books I have read and my Ivy League PhD and state with supreme confidence that JP was a tremendously important influence in the lives of many of us.  Our literacy and our educations have only benefitted from the influence of this extraordinary man.  Thank you JP for a life well spent.
 @Silvia Then I feel sorry for you. Unlike most programming today, and I definitely include children's programming, the LOCAL programming of the 50s and 60s was definitely worthwhile. All of the hosts of the children's programming were good and decent people that actually liked what they were doing and were NOT just "doing a job" as far too many are today. JP Patches, Captain Puget, Brakeman Bill, Wunda Wunda and Stan Boreson were REAL people that loved children. they all lived a fine upstanding lifestyles and were excellent role models. We actually learned things from these fine people; how to live, how to work, how to play and how to be good citizens. Today's children's programming is nothing more than thinly disguised baby sitting.
 @Furd We weren't too poor to own a television - my goodness. Even "back in the day", you didn't have to be wealthy to own a television. It's just that my parents thought that there were better things to do than to sit in front of a television.
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I don't see it as being a book snob - just pointing out that television isn't an essential part of life, of being a kid. And - when I hear people talk about how everyone who grew up in this area grew up with JP Patches - well, some of us didn't.
 @Silvia I've been reading books since I was about six years old, some fifty six years now. I've also been watching television about the same length of time. Maybe you meant that your family was too poor to own a television but please don't think that people that watch television are somehow inferior to those that read books. A person CAN do both.
 @Silvia  @justmyopinion Silvia here's a gold star, now go back to your reading, Seriously though, I've been an avid reader all my life and occasionally watch television. You can enjoy reading without being a book snob.
Every morning at 7:30 on summer vacation. A big bowl of Cheerios and J. P. Patches. The perfect morning for a kid.
Even now, I smile every time I think of that. Thanks for the wonderful memories, JP.
RIP J.P., may the fruits of the joy you brought to generations of folks be yours for eternity,
I grew up watching his show with my brothers and sister. It wasn't just a show, ian event. He wasn't just a clown. He was a teacher dressed like a clown. He taught us all so many things we will never realise. Wash behind your ears, clean plate club etc etc. I saw him at his last show at the fair in Monroe. I stood up at the end and thanked him for all he did for us Patches pals over the years. For this he asked me to approach the stage. He gave me a container of Flicks chocolate. I still have it. He said he had his own secret supply of them. You could never win a game of Simon says against him. He always won. In the early 60's he announced my name thru the ICUTVÂ as having a birthday on the day.Â
To Joanie and Jim, thanks for sharing your husband, dad with all of us.
One of just a few true Original Seattle icons.
RIP JP.
For those who did not grow up with J.P. as part of your morning (and for a while afternoon and Saturday morning) routine, and do not understand why grown adults are shedding tears today over the passing of a "kid's show actor," you just don't know. For some he's the crystallization of the mood that came with the innocence of childhood. For others he was the only "unconditional positive regard" they had in their day, and his message saved them from the life they might have otherwise been destined for. As I watched clips of him last night and today what struck me was how familiar his voice still sounds today. As familiar to me as any friend or family member. And the message in a nutshell? Be a good person, and have fun! So long J.P. I'm sorry I was never able to meet you in person, shake your hand, and thank you for the influence your "kid's show" had on me.
It is a sad day in the neighborhood.
Bless you J.P. You were a big part of my youth & I'll never forget you. God's speed.
@32jim2 Don't forget Engineer Walt (before Brakeman bill) I. Sheriff Tex and Crusader Rabbit. I loved all those shows.
We loved you JP Patches and always will
Rest in Peace dear sir. I grew up with him and am very saddened by this news. I'm a 60 year old Patches Pal too. There will be thousands of aging children in the Pacific Northwest today with a heavy heart.Â
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I met him in person many times and it was always a treat. And Gertrude too!Â
J. P. Patches brings back great childhood memories!!! Like the time he climbed Mt. Rainier, and my Mom took me out side to see if we could see him on Mt. Rainier, from our home in West Seattle. I must have been 4 years old or so and we had a perfect view of Mt. Rainier and I was sure we had seen him!!! J.P. brought joy to many children in the Northwest and he won't be forgotten!!! To the his Family, Thank You for sharing him with us!!!
Thank you Wedes Family for sharing Chris with all of us. He was an important part of my childhood; like many others I'm sure; he will never be forgotten. Always in our hearts JP.
I grew up with JP. Loved him. :( So sad...
I'm a patches pal age 60 now. When I was 10,  J.P. cam to our local grocery store and danced me all around the store in "clown fashion" so fun and never forgotten. I love you J.P.
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JP (Chris) made every morning special. He was a caring, decent man whom anyone could love. He showed how a simple, no frills TV show could entertain and captivate a young audience. I think anyone who faithfully watched him realizes what he contributed to their youth. It was magic to watch him and all his gang. Goodbye JP and Grandfather Clock too!
I love JP Patches and grew up watching him every day. A few years ago, my daughter came to my house with a autographed picture of the statue of JP and Gertrude and I was so excited. Even at my age I was thrilled when I would see him in the parades. I would hear the sound of the clowns and knew JP and Gertrude would be coming. I remember watching Casper the friendly ghost and loved Sterdly the book worm. The show was just wonderful. Today at work there was a empty TV cabinet that reminded me of the TV set JP had. I mentioned to a co-worker that that was the I see you to TV that JP Patches had, and when I came home and watched the news. I found out the lost of a wonderful person that has been called home. I sit here with tears in my eyes, but when I seen the news and they showed the pie in the face that Gertrude would throw in his face I laughed in between my tears. He was a friend and will be missed. God Bless the family and thanks you JP for being a part of our great Pacific Northwest.Â
To the  Wedes, Thank you so much for sharing Chris with us. So Sorry for OUR Loss!
JP- Thank you for the Tiger tail that we got from your show. It brought so much joy to our neighborhood. My brother , sister an I woke up just to race to the tv to watch you. You were my Aunt's neighbor and came with Grutrude everytime we came to visit just to surprise us and make it truly special. We will never forget you. Your number 1 Patches pal wishes you RIP. You will now be our # 1 Angel! Love you Chris.
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hey chris, say hello to brakeman bill for me will you? thanks your pal jim. 1958 seems like yesterday.
 @32jim2 I think Bil McLain (Brakeman Bill) is still alive. I think. I sure hope so, anyway.
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Our hearts are BROKEN!..you brought so much happiness to so many,the tears are flowing, the world just could never be the same without you in it..God rest your soul&thank you for everything you gave us..my thoughts&prayers go out to his family&friends..we LUV you JP....
 @ARMYmom3 AMEN to that!