SEATTLE, Wash. (Metro) -- A figure that was beloved among TV viewers in the Seattle area for decades has died.
Chris Wedes, known to most as J.P. Patches, entertained both children and adults from 1958 to 1981 as the Mayor of the City Dump via KIRO Television.
The Emmy Award-winning "J.P. Patches Show" was among the nation's longest-running children's TV programs.
Wedes continued portraying the popular clown long after the show went off the air, making personal appearances well into his 70's and 80's at festivals, fairs, and private parties.
Wedes announced several years ago that he was battling cancer.
His last public appearance was was on September 17th, 2011, when he was 83 years old.
Wedes died at his home Sunday morning, according to his wife.
