RONALD TERRENCE "TERRY" VALNES

Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory

Ronald Terrence 'Terry' Valnes, age 61, went to be with his Lord on March 25, 2011, dying unexpectedly of natural causes at his home in Prosser. He was born June 26, 1949, at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Zion, Illinois, to Albin Lloyd and Elaine Christine (Smith) Valnes. The son of a Pearl Harbor survivor, Terry spent his childhood wherever his father's naval career took him. He graduated from West High School in Bremerton, Washington in 1967. He then attended Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in 1971. It was there he met the love of his life and future wife, Peggy Fouts. Terry and Peggy were married on July 27, 1974, in Prosser, where they continued to live and raise their three children, Tricia, Charlie, and Katie. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, serving from 1971 to 1973, and continuing his military service in the Naval Reserve. He attended Eastern Washington University acquiring his teaching certificate and then went on to teach first grade at Harriet Thompson Elementary in Grandview. Over his career he touched the lives of 700+ students. He had a passion for teaching and would often say 'Being a teacher is who I am, not what I do.'

Terry enjoyed golf and visiting over a good cup of coffee. His insatiable hunger for knowledge led him to study different languages, especially Swedish, the language of his daughter-in-law, and Greek, which he used to study the Bible. Terry loved his family. His greatest joy was spending time with his parents and siblings in Bremerton, and his children and grandchildren in Seattle. Nothing made him happier than being tackled by a wave of adoring, giggling grandkids.

Terry is survived by his wife Peggy of Prosser; his children Patricia Marie Mason and husband, Mark, Charles Lloyd Valnes and wife, Sara Maria, and Katie Marie Bryan and husband, Jesse, all of Seattle; five and 'one-half' grandchildren, Jack, Jane, Claire, Hank, Duke and Baby Girl Valnes; his parents, Lloyd and Elaine Valnes of Bremerton; three sisters, Linda Goodnough and husband, Ron and Susan LeBas and husband, Phil, all of Silverdale and Nancy Valnes of Bremerton, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

After all those years of being late, he beat us all to the Pearly Gates.

A Life Celebration will be held on Friday, April 1st at 3:00 p.m. at the Grandview Church of the Nazarene. Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.