Terrence Garner Stefan

Terrence Garner Stefan, age 71, a lifelong resident of the Cleveland, OH area died Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at his brother's home in Arlington, VA, following a short period of declining health.

Terry was born on January 29, 1954, in Cleveland, to the late Robert Richard and Joan Ruth (Jedacek) Stefan. He graduated from Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights, OH in 1972, where he excelled as a starting linebacker on the Patriots football team. He received an athletic scholarship to Yale University to study architecture where he was a member of the freshmen team. He transferred to the University of Michigan to study engineering and was a "walk-on" scholarship member of the Wolverines until he graduated in 1976. The team were Big Ten Champions in 1973-75 and went to the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1976. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity.

He was baptized, attended and volunteered at Unity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Cleveland for most of his life, before he later attended Bethel Lutheran Church when he lived in Middleburgh Heights. He most recently attended Christ Church of Arlington VA, where he talked sports and renovated the lawns to the great appreciation of the congregation.

Terry worked at first as a production line engineer with Proctor and Gamble but then transferred to the automotive / military vehicle industry until retirement. He worked for Chrysler where he was on the Viper Team and GM where he was on the Cadillac team. He also worked in and with the U.S. Government as a contractor to develop upgrade designs for jeeps and tanks during the Reagan administration.

Terry had a lifelong love of sports, especially the Cleveland Indians and Browns, as well as his alma mater. Terry took every opportunity to use his engineering and practical skills to help family, neighbors and the churches he attended.

Surviving are brother, Robin Stuart (Barbara) Stefan, and sister Susan Lynn Stefan; niece, Jessica Lynn Stefan, and nephews David Joseph Stefan, Corey Michael Stefan and Kwabena Oduro Acheampong Stefan; cousins Donna Jean (Bill) Robertson (of Rittman), Dale Arthur Alexander and Todd Arthur Alexander.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two aunts, Doris Joan Alexander and Gloria Jean Mitterko.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at Christ Church of Arlington, 3020 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, VA 22201. Burial will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10:00 am at Rittman Cemetery, 14300 Decourcey, Rittman, OH 44270.