Jim Allen - December 12, 2013 At 06:58 Pm
I first met Terry while skiing at Mount Bachelor about a year ago. We quickly became ski buddies. Terry enjoyed the challenge of being among the leaders in amount vertical feet skied, the number of days skied and how many times he had ridden the chair lifts. All of these statistics are updated daily and he would check his place in the standings daily too. On Monday December 2nd, he was #3 on the leader board. He told me how he had talked to the two kids who were at #1 and #2, how did they do it? As of yesterday, he was only down to #20 on that list. We were both chafing at the bit waiting for ski season to start, many phone calls and e-mails went between us before and during the season. I truly believe that Terry was at his happiest while skiing. When we first met, he was a broken Man. Often in tears while we talking it through on the chair lifts. We also talked about his plans to fix up the place where he lived. We never did get to re-wiring the lights, fans ,and switches. I was able to help him put in the new laminate floor and we had all the baseboards cut, routed, and ready for staining and final installation this last week. I also found out why his nick name from his boiler days was "30 Grit." A very course and abrasive sandpaper that is difficult to work with. We always worked it out. I started to really worry when he didn't return my calls on Tuesday and didn't show up to ski on Wednesday morning. I thought that he had another one of his black outs and I went down to La Pine check. I ended up having a long chat with a Sheriff's Deputy instead. Skiing just isn't the same anymore without him but I DO feel his spirit on that Mountain. It wasn't always pleasant being around him but I am now a better person. I miss you ski buddy. Jim Allen.