Terry Wayne Backman

1946 - 2025

Terry Wayne Backman
August 21, 1946 – November 1, 2025
Newhall – Terry W. Backman, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully from Agent Orange-related cancer. He leaves behind Susan, his lovely wife of nearly 49 years; children, Eric and Sheila; grandchildren, Tyler, Chase, Quiara, and Haley.
Terry was born in Bottineau, North Dakota, to Edner and Ila Backman and lived in rural Carbury, where Ila taught grades one through eight in a one-room schoolhouse. Terry and older brother, Pete, looked forward to summer, as they would go to their grandparents, Albert and Anna Froseth's farm, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. There's always work to be done on the farm. They enjoyed going there.
In 1960, the family moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where Ila found a teaching job. It was a big change for Terry. He never lived in such a large city or attended such a big school. He never played football because they wore pads – didn't know how to put on all the equipment. But he excelled athletically, especially in baseball, basketball, volleyball, pool, and ping pong.
Terry was drafted into the Army in 1965 to serve in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay. He worked supply and helped build the base. This is where he was exposed to Agent Orange. After returning home in 1967, he earned a two-year college degree in Portland and worked at Roseburg Forest Products, making plywood until 1989.
In 1977, Terry met his future wife, Susan, in a twist of fate. Their conversation ran so long that Susan was late for work during tax season, prompting her to tell her boss, "I think I just met my future husband." Terry told his mother he had met his future wife and always planned their next date before they went to their separate houses.
In 1989, we relocated the family to Santa Clarita, California, where Terry worked various jobs ultimately ending at Talladium with good friend, Chris, until retirement. Terry and Susan traveled across America, visiting MLB stadiums, national parks, and attending Dodger and USC home games. Terry continued playing softball with his and Chris's team, the Brewers, until age 68 – quite an achievement! He enjoyed traveling with Eric and family, with Yellowstone being his favorite vacation spot.
Santa Clarita was always home – we never found a place we loved more. Terry loved America, our flag, the military, our 1968 Ford Bronco, and reading The Signal, especially John Boston's stories. Many thanks to Holy Cross Hospital and Dr. Naude for their excellent care. After Terry's massive heart attack in 2006, Mike and Tony's lifesaving actions gave his family 19 more precious years with him. Terry requested his obituary conclude with a poem he wrote for his wife:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Angels in heaven
Know I love you,
And I always will.
Memorial service with honor guard at American Legion Post #507, 24527 Spruce St., Newhall, CA 91351, on Saturday, January 17, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Send flowers or donations to address above.