Chris Wedes, affectionately known as JP Patches to millions of Northwesterners, died Sunday morning at age 84. I don’t often feature “guest photos” on this website, but when I had the chance to include the famous JP (“Julius Pierpont”) Patches, I jumped at it. Mike Keller of Anacortes captured this shot of JP in the fall of 2004 during a promotional event in Bellingham. Pictured to the right, patiently waiting her turn to greet JP, is Mike’s wife, Sue. I logged my share of TV hours with the clown, but never had the opportunity to meet him. According to JP’s web site, Wedes got his start in Minnesota, but moved west to Seattle in 1958 (Yes, students, those were the years of black and white TV). He was an immediate hit, and continued his kids show until 1981.
