Terrance P. Marren

Terrance P. Marren, deeply loved father, grandfather, husband and brother passed away peacefully on August 14, 2013 after courageously battling diabetes. He was surrounded by family as he passed. Terry was born on October 4, 1948 in Sheepshead Bay, New York.

As a child, Terry lived primarily with his mother, Helen. She was a telephone operator, but due to technological advances in the industry her job was often eliminated. Because of this, Terry attended at least 20 different schools throughout the United States as a child and young adult. Terry loved to tell the story of how he was delivering newspapers in Anchorage, Alaska on March 27, 1964 during the Great Alaskan Earthquake.

He grew up to rely on the Boys Club (now known as the Boys and Girls Club) as the one constant in his life. He was very proud to give back, and served as a board of director for the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas from 1987-1996. He was also named the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas Outstanding Alumnus of 1992. Terry’s children, Jim and Heather, grew up playing sports at the Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club in Las Vegas during their childhood which gave him a great sense of pride.

After graduating from Kearny High School in San Diego, California, Terry went on a camping trip with a youth group to Yosemite National Park. During that trip, a counselor asked him what he was going to do with his life. Terry had no idea. The counselor suggested he consider attending Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University) in Texas. During his time at Abilene Christian College, Terry studied to become a minister for the Church of Christ.

After receiving his first report card, Terry realized that becoming a minister was not for him. He enlisted with the United States Army on April 10, 1967. Terry attended Army parachutist school in Fort Benning, Georgia after completing Basic Training. He frequently recalled that his boots “hit the ground” in the Republic of Vietnam on November 5, 1967, the day Richard Nixon was elected President of the United States. Terry was a proud member of the 101st Airborn Division (Vietnam), Special Forces Unit, serving as a combat medic. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received “in theater”. His highest rank attained in the United States Army was Sergeant E-5.

In 1970, after returning from Vietnam, Terry relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Once there, he attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Political Science in 1974. Terry was the member of his family to earn a college degree. During college he met his first wife, Sharon. They married in 1972.

They relocated to San Diego, California in the fall of 1974 so that he could attend law school at California Western School of Law. During that time, his first child Jim was born in 1976. Terry was named the “Most Outstanding First Year Law Student” (chosen by the law faculty) in 1975. He served as the Managing Editor of the LAW REVIEW and was awarded the outstanding Litigator Award during the 1977 National Mock Trial Competition. Terry received his Juris Doctor degree in 1977.

Upon his graduation from law school, Terry worked as a law clerk at the Nevada Supreme Court and then as a legal advisor to former Nevada Governor Mike O’Callaghan.

In 1979, Terry relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. His daughter, Heather, was born in November of that year. He served as Chief Counsel to the Welfare Division as a Deputy Attorney General for the office of the Attorney General of Las Vegas, NV from 1979 to 1982. He was the Deputy City Attorney for North Las Vegas from 1983 to 1985.

Terry was very proud to be named Nevada’s first Domestic Relations Referee for the Eighth Judicial District Court of Las Vegas, NV. He served in that capacity from 1986 to 1992.

The highlight of Terry’s work career was being elected by the citizens of Southern Nevada in 1992 as one of three judges of the newly created Family Court in 1993. He officiated thousands of proceedings during his years as a judge.

In 1994, Terry was divorced from his first wife, Sharon. On August 6, 1995 he married Teresa Mitchell of Logandale, Nevada. Terry adored Teresa’s family and children as much as his own. He loved to travel in his motorhome with Teresa. He was especially fond of visiting Pismo Beach, California each year with her.

In 1998, Terry and Teresa relocated to Mesquite, Nevada. Terry was hired by the mayor and city council to become the first Full-Time City Attorney for the City of Mesquite, Nevada. He served in this role until 2005.

Terry was very proud to retire from the State of Nevada in 2005. Terry was a very active person who had a difficult time sitting still in retirement. He decided to become a private mediator in 2005 along with serving as a Senior District Court Judge. He was appointed annually by the Nevada Supreme Court to serve in this role.

Terry contributed to the legal community by teaching classes at UNLV and the Community College of Southern Nevada as an adjunct faculty member. He published articles in legal publications and participated in legal groups which are too numerous to list.

Terry’s legacy will be defined by his community involvement. He was most passionate about advocating for and helping children. In addition to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas, Terry served as a board of director for the Boy Scouts of America, Las Vegas Area Council (Formerly Boulder Dam Area Council) from 1989 to 1998. He also served as a board of director for the Sunrise Children’s Hospital Foundation from 1993 to 1996. He served as an advisory board member to the Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada from 1991 to 1995. He was the founder of the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force in 1990. He was a member of that organization until 1998 and served as its President from 1990 to 1996.

Terry was very involved with the Boy Scouts of Southern Nevada. His roles involved Cubmaster of Pack 126, Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster of Troop 133 and Scoutmaster of Troop 60. He was also involved with many behind the scenes roles such as Council Commissioner, Vice-President, Risk Management and Vice-President, Exploring Division which was then known as the Boulder Dam Area Council. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1988 by the council for his hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.

He was very proud that his son, Jim, earned the Eagle Scout rank from the Boy Scouts of America and his daughter, Heather, earned the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of America. Both awards are the highest achievement from each organization.

Terry loved life. His favorite activities were camping, fishing, traveling and spending time with his family; particularly his 14 grandchildren. He loved calling all of his relatives on their birthdays so that he could sing an “off key” version of Happy Birthday.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Marren, brother-in-law Jason Good, nephew Tyler Jensen and niece Cathy Marren. He is survived by his brother Mike (Sue) Marren of Edgewater, Florida, his wife Teresa Marren of Henderson, Nevada, his son Jim (Erin) Marren of Reno, Nevada, his daughter Heather (Ben) Austin of Portland, Oregon, his stepchildren James (Angela) Mitchell of Fountain Green, Utah, Arian (Cliff) Mathews of Las Vegas, Nevada, Stephanie Kay of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ammon (Chalise) Mitchell of Omaha, Nebraska and Hayley Mitchell of St. George, Utah. He is also survived by his grandchildren Avery and Carter Marren, Jackson, Henry and Jamison Austin, Morgan and Anthony Mitchell, Troy and Aden Mathews, Addison, Kimball, Avonlea and Jarom Mitchell & Lily Rosa. He is survived by extended family members Keith and Marian Jensen of Pocatello, Idaho, Janice and Richard Green of Pocatello, Idaho, Jo Anne Good of Payette, Idaho, Lisa Jensen of Youngstown, Ohio, Russ and Suzanne Jensen of Frisco, Texas and ex-wife Sharon Marren of Gardnerville, Nevada.

In lieu of flowers the Marren family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas. Gifts can be mailed directly to the Lied Memorial Clubhouse, 2850 Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146. Please reference Terry Marren.

Memorial services will be at Palm Mortuary at the South Jones location (1600 South Jones Blvd) on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 3:00 PM. A reception will be held following the service at the Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club. For more information, visit www.palmmortuary.com .