Terry Victor Stephenson

Terry Victor Stephenson

Terry Victor Stephenson, 70, beloved father to Kimberly and Scott; loving and generous friend to many; husband of 41 years to Suzanne; died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of June 16, 2005. Terry's sudden death of cardio vascular disease came as a shock to all because Terry, up until his final moments, was a fit, active, colorful and adventurous man.
Terry was born February 17, 1935, to Hazel and Glen Stephenson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Terry completed high school, married Suzanne, and entered the United States Marine Corps in 1953. After three years, he left the Marine Corps a Sergeant, and entered Coe College. He graduated in 1960 with a Business Administration Degree.
Terry was a man who embodied the Great American Entre-preneurial Spirit and he initiated and succeeded in many, many business ventures throughout his life. Out of college he was an executive sales manager for Link Belt Speeder for several years and then began a mobile home manufacturing business with a close childhood friend in Iowa.
The Stephenson family moved to Seattle, Washington, in the mid-70's and a short list of Terry's business ventures in the area include: being the owner/ operator of a Ford Tractor dealership, owner/operator of Crane Rental company, owner of a real estate brokerage firm, owner/ operator of a home remodeling business, owner/operator of two successful automobile repair franchises, and for the past ten years until his death, owner/ operator of an Everett Maaco Auto Painting and Bodyworks shop.
Terry loved adventure and embodied one of his fondest terms "No Guts, No Glory!" Terry had a courageous heart that reached for glory as he traveled the world and forged his way into the great outdoors, which he loved so much. Terry went on numerous wilderness excursions including climbing Mount Rainier with a close family friend, Gus Hart. A few of Terry's worldwide adventures included trips to Africa, Spain, Vietnam, Mexico, and many other places, too numerous to name. He also had a wood exporting business in Costa Rica where he and his son, Scott, worked and lived together in the jungle.
Terry was a private pilot and loved airplanes. He built some of his own planes and experimental aircraft and had two airplane crashes. Yet in true Terry form, he never let crashes get in the way of his flying again and again. Terry's spirit is now flying free and will live in our hearts forever.
At Terry's request, there will be no services.