Terry Preston Shellman

Terry Preston Shellman, 84, long-time White Salmon resident, passed away at a care facility in Camas, Washington, on September 11, 2025, just eight days shy of his 64th wedding anniversary.

Terry was born January 22, 1941, in Hood River, to Gerald Wilbert and Emma Leora (Preston) Shellman. He grew up on a small farm in Neal Creek Canyon. It is said that he started working on cars as soon as he could hold a wrench, and that he started driving a truck as soon as he could reach the pedals and see over the dashboard at the same time. Unfortunately, he had to drop out of 9th grade to help support the family due to his father's worsening alcoholism.

While attending youth group he met Wilma Jacob, and on September 19, 1961, they eloped to Stevenson. Terry worked various jobs until 1967, when he took over management of a Union 76 service station on the Port of Hood River. Wilma handled the bookkeeping and wrangled their 8 children. Together, they made sure that we all graduated high school and went to college. They financially supported 6 of their children on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1988 Terry opened a mechanic shop on the Heights, where he worked until 2011.

Terry was a doer. His life was filled with service in his congregation and his community. He cut firewood for those in need and helped people move. He was passionate about amateur radio and emergency preparedness. With the local ham radio club, he provided communications for community events, participated in field days and emergency drills, taught classes, and mentored new hams. Terry was instrumental in the installation of amateur band repeaters on local mountaintops to improve ham radio access in the Gorge.

In 2020 Terry suffered a stroke and lost the use of his right side. He and Wilma left their beloved home in White Salmon for a wheelchair-accessible apartment in Camas.

Terry leaves behind his wife Wilma of Camas, WA; his five sons Spencer (Cecile) of Pittsburgh, PA; Scott (Kim) of Banks, OR; Daniel (Valori) of Sandy, Utah; Joel (Helen) of Camas, WA; and Jacob (Laura) of Longview, WA; his three daughters Terri Jane (Kevin) Kyte of Camas, WA; Melody Shellman of Hood River; and Hannah (Isaac) Carroll of Camas, WA; 32 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bill (Pam) of Knappa, OR; his brother-in-law Carl Dalton of Newport News, VA; nephew Donald Dalton of Newport News, VA; and niece Tiffanie Clinkinbeard of Lexington, KY.

Terry joins his parents and his sister Norma Dalton, who predeceased him.

The funeral service will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 18th & May Streets in Hood River on September 20th at noon. A viewing will be held the hour before the funeral. Terry will then be interred at Idlewilde Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.