When we came to visit and stayed with Jean and Terry at their home in Renton, my sister and I woke up our first morning in their guest room to find Terry had gone out and bought us little surprises. He left a vase of flowers and two stuffed animals for each of us in the hallway right outside the guest bedroom door, so when we opened it first thing in the morning, we had a nice little surprise. I remember being so touched by this little gesture. There was no special occasion or other reason for it other than the kindness and thoughtfulness in his heart. We were going through a difficult time in our life at that time and his kindness meant a lot to me. 

I was in my early teens, about 13 when I first met Terry and as our father was always really sick I missed having that relationship but Terry filled that void in my life with his kindness and mostly just his time. He always encouraged me and was always there for me with a kind word and I knew I could always count on Terry for anything I needed. I will truly miss him. Rest in peace my brother... 

I met Terry and Jean just a few years ago when they were considering selling their home in Renton. I went for a quick appointment but ended up staying three hours. What a warm and loving couple! And yes baseball was a big part of Terry’s life. We had a connection because of the Detroit Tigers. And Oh  Man  could he talk about when they won the World Series in 1968. I treasure the last time I was with Terry and Jean. I had coffee with them and Jean gave me a piece of the chocolate cake that she had made which was the BEST chocolate cake I’ve ever had! And Terry gave me one of my most prized possessions which is the 1968 World Series official souvenir program that he received when he attended that game. He said I know you’ll appreciate this more than anyone else I know. I know Terry is hitting homeruns in heaven. I’ll be cheering him on when I get there.

Terry and Jean have been dear friends of the Wade's for decades. We met in the early 80s. Over the years we enjoyed excellent BBQ at their home or ours. We kept track of one another as we grew in our careers; in our retirement Terry and I spoke very frequently on the phone and by text and email we shared our thoughts about baseball, the Seahawks and the goings-on in the world. Terry was open and accepting and worked to understand the State of Affairs that seems to be reshaping Our Land. We were on opposite sides of the political Spectrum, and we had many contentious discussions. Those discussions we're sometimes heated, but did not harm our friendship, they gave rise to mutual respect in the way and means that we approach things in our lives. We raised our kids to be respectful and loving, kind and helpful of others. We ran things by one another to appreciate alternative views. I lost a very dear friend and I miss him everyday, but I still have this amazing family that I love and respect. My heartfelt condolences go to Jean the love of his life. And of course Dina and Nick who I love and admire so much. And to my dear friend Tim, who lost his father in recent years, and now his grandpa. But he is strong and resilient a surrounded by love. May we have peace love and friendship forever, and God's many blessings to this family and to my dear friend Terry Graham. In the name of our father in the holy spirit amen.

I wish i received a nickle for every time i shared this story about Terry inviting me to play a round of of golf at Maple Valley golf course. Terry was really looking forward to go golfing and show how he had finally corrected his swing when he teed of. So we left his house around 13:00 when we arrived there was a five tavern tournament in progress and we had to hit several buckets of balls on the driving range while waiting for our names to called. When our names were called we had been on the driving range for all most two hours and Terry was really excited to start . The club house warned us we would be following the last of the tavern golfers but had no idea why they were so animate about the warning. We found out at the first green there was a table with a keg of beer and plastic glasses. Then again at each green there were more kegs and glasses. We started to hear loud laughter and screams up ahead but could not see what was going on. There was so much noise that we had a hard time trying to golf. By the time he got to the 8 fairway we noticed clubs scattered about like they were thrown out of a air plane. Then each fairway after that we saw more clubs and empty bags scattered every where. The more we went the more clubs and bags we saw. We stopped playing  around the 12 hole because we could not determine which ball was our. The more we proceeded the more it looked like a war zone golf carts rolled over onto their sides people laying on the fairway after consuming to much adult beverages it was a site to see. We really never did get to play a round of golf but we got more for our money by seeing the golf course turned upside down i believe i never saw Terry laugh so hard for so long. It is a favorite memory of Terry i can still hear him laughing i never did get to truly see his corrected swing however i look forward to seeing that new swing in heaven.
 
 

I wish I would have known him better. I remember he and your uncle Bob talking at a family gathering..not sure the topic, but it lasted most of the day !  
Praying for comfort for you and the family.  

Dina, Jean and all family members, Terry holds a special place in my heart, as he was my first soccer coach! So much of what he coached, and how he coached helped me develop my love of the game, and my coaching style! He will be greatly missed!  Go Cascade Tigers!

- Michelle (Eckler) Oliver

OBITUARY

Terry Allen Graham

December 19, 1946 – August 3, 2020

Greenwood Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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