Joe's Vault: Remembering JP Patches
I am a Patches Pal, and have been for over 45 years. So you know I'm of a certain age. And I join thousands upon thousands of Patches Pals older than I and far, far younger in mourning the death of JP Patches.
He came into our homes (he saw us through the ICU2TV!) on KIRO for 23 years. In the last three decades he continued to delight youngsters and their grandparents throughout the Puget Sound region.
JP visited the KOMO studios in 2008 to celebrate his half century making us laugh. He spoke with Mary Nam about the statue of girlfriend Gertrude and him that was later unveiled in Fremont, showed off a bobblehead, and gently insulted Kathi Goertzen!
We're all a little poorer for losing Chris Wedes and our hearts go out to his family. But we are certainly richer for having had JP Patches with us for so long.
He will live on really because he touched so many people. And when your name is spoken by someone, when stories are told about you, well, it's as close as we can get to immortality.
Long Live Julius Pierpont Patches...
He came into our homes (he saw us through the ICU2TV!) on KIRO for 23 years. In the last three decades he continued to delight youngsters and their grandparents throughout the Puget Sound region.
JP visited the KOMO studios in 2008 to celebrate his half century making us laugh. He spoke with Mary Nam about the statue of girlfriend Gertrude and him that was later unveiled in Fremont, showed off a bobblehead, and gently insulted Kathi Goertzen!
We're all a little poorer for losing Chris Wedes and our hearts go out to his family. But we are certainly richer for having had JP Patches with us for so long.
He will live on really because he touched so many people. And when your name is spoken by someone, when stories are told about you, well, it's as close as we can get to immortality.
Long Live Julius Pierpont Patches...
Oh JP and Kathi! Met them both last year, sadly they're both gone. But what a moment! :)
Here I sit, 600 miles away, tearing up over the loss of a great friend. God speed, J.P. You will always be remembered
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I can remember when I was a kid during the 60's, My parents had some friends from oregon who came to visit with their two kids. All they could talk about was "Rusty Nails". A copycat of J.P. They had never heard of J.P. Patches. I can remember arguing as kids do about how much J.P. was better than Rusty Nails. They watched the show with My older brother, myself and my younger sister, and they loved it! I have often thought of J.P throughout the years and my wife ordered video's of the show,from the channel nine store. She had never heard of him either, being from California, but she loved the show too! Peace to you J.P., and thank you for all the good that you gave to me and others.
Today I was cleaning out my car when I came across something that I will hold dear for as long as I live. When I saw JP Patches back in 2000, he gave me a new Patches Pal card with a pin (since he knew I was already a Patches Pal.) Here I am holding this card, and my cheeks are getting wet. RIP JP, thank you for being a part of my life and the lives of so many others.
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The JP Patches check list
Mind Mommy and Daddy
Wash hands face neck and ears
Comb hair
Brush teeth
Drink milk
Eat all your food
Say your prayers
Share your toys
Put toys away
Hang up clothes
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PATCHES PAL!
 @yentaleh Your post brought tears to my eyes. I was 7 when J.P. first arrived at KIRO. My brothers and sister and I watched JP each morning before going to school. JP's checklist truly influenced my life. As a kid, I remember going to the Magnolia Thriftway store and meeting JP and Gertrude -- a highlight of my life:) We miss you JP.
As a VERY young girl my mom would leave a lighted cigarette in an ashtray to answer the phone, etc. She would all ways catch me picking it up and prancing around. At one time she made me smoke part of it but nothing would stop me. SO she called to the studio, explained her problem. JP called and talked to me and boy did that do the trick!
I was born in 1957. I lived a half mile from school, and often had to run out the door because I was late watching J.P. I remember thinking at the time that he was an old man (he was in his thirties) so in later years I've been so happy to see him pop up in the public eye from time to time. Although Mr. Wedes has passed on, J.P. will be timeless, and every Patches Pal will always look back with a smile.
I am so glad that I grew up in the 70's. We had the best of childhood around the Seattle area. JP was a constant friend and there was no TV mointoring from parents back then cause you had nothing but good to be taught. I feel sorry for kids of today that will never get to experiance that innocence called good clean fun. RIP JP.. you take all part of our childhoods with you to heaven. Thanks for the memories.
The City Dump, ICU2TV, Tikey Turkey, Esmerelda, Miss Smiths Delivery Service, The Magic Carpet, Gertrude, Boris S Wort - The World's 2nd Meanest Man....and on and on.....all orchestrated by Chris Wedes - our beloved JP Patches. Thank you for the wonderful childhood happiness and memories so vivid - that a part of me has left with you. God Bless and RIP.......
 @DKH Tykey Turkey's name was originally Kevin Turkey. You forgot Sturdley the Bookworm, BeBop Buzzard, PJ Scratches, IM Rags, Professor Weiner von Brown, Ketchikan the Animal Man, Ghorst the friendly Furple, Joe Towey (always remembered on the blackboard as EYHOJT which meant Eat Your Heart Out Joe Towey) and probably many more I don't remember.
 @DKH Oh I almost forgot about the magic carpet!!! My sister and I always tried to get our rug to fly like his!!! HA HA HA!!! Only JP could make that magic happen. I also remember watching the clock in his City Dump and it told me when it was almost time to go to school. I think it had the actual time on it.
So many great memories and such a wonderful time to grow up in.
I'll  always remember JP. he was like a childhood friend of mine, that I can see everyday in the morning before school. Once his show was over I knew it was time for me to go, so I can make it to class on time. Here comes the clowns, are on parde in heaven.
I go all the way back to the begging being eight years old when JP first entered our houses. I have always loved how the clock would spit water on him in the morning when he failed to get up at the alarm. Always loved Sturdley the Bookworm also but most people don't even know about Sturdley or BeBop Buzzard.
We all loved J.P .Patches I mean how could you not I remember him making my sister dance for milk duds LOL! great memory. rest in peace my dear friend..
I was and still am a Patches Pal. JP wasn't just a person in a clown outfit. He was a teacher in a clown outfit. He taught us many things over the years, clean plate club, wash behind your ears, obey your parents, etc. He is a Seattle Icon. I was at his last performance at the Monroe fair and of course I wore my JP shirt. I stood up at the end and thanked JP for all the memories for which heinvited me to the stage, and presented me with a container of FLICKS choclate. I still have that. Thanks JP. I had my name called out on my birthday via the ICU-TV. What a thrill that was back in the day. He will be missed, but not forgotten, no way.
RIP JP, and thanks for the memories.
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Patches Pal for life since the early 70's when I had hit kindergarten...I am still in utter disbelief. RIP
been a patches pal since 1965,Going to miss him,and gertrude.I'll never look at a garbage dump the same way.Love you J.P.
Very heartfelt writing, Good work Joe Wren.
Chokes me up and takes me back in time remembering the fun he brought to all of us.
JP's ICU2TV made me into a good boy! When I was little I often wondered if JP was watching me. Kept me in line.
LOL. Â He was the kindest, best person I ever knew.
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JP Patches, was a friend and hero to the young and old alike. Â We will always remember the magic and the love he gave. Â Rest in Peace Chris Wedes. Â We love you!Â
The Clown Prince of Seattle. Â Thanks for the memories Chris Wedes.
 Those are some big shoes to fill. Rest In Paradise Chris Wedes aka JP Patches.