Terrence "Terry" Olaf Aakre, 66, of Spokane, WA, raised his sails and set his final course for eternal peace on August 25, 2018, after a stroke and late discovery of advanced cancer.
Terry was born in Seattle, WA in 1952. He grew up on Navy bases around the world and spent some of his impressionable years helping on his grandparents' dairy farm in Montana, being taught by very strict nuns at a Catholic school in Ireland, and tooling around Bayview, ID on Lake Pend Oreille. Terry graduated from East Valley High School in 1970 and went on to obtain several Certifications in Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Hypnotherapy.
Terry is survived by his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Crystal Nicole (Aakre Calais) Sverdsten, her husband, Eric; grandson, (AKA great nephew) Justice "JT" Terrance Bud Boothe; sister, Bunny Lou (Aakre Thompson) Swanson, her husband, Scott; niece, Heather (Thompson) Sheffield, her husband, Ken; great nephew, Lincoln, great niece, Lacey; niece, Holly Thompson-White, her husband, Don; and his much-loved companion, Buddy Cat, whom Terry swore could tell time, and whom Terry devotedly cared for despite Buddy's insistence on behaving like a cat.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Louise (Graham Aakre) Gorman; father, Clarence Aakre; sister, Rose Marie Aakre; and his late feline friends Steve, the white stray who grew larger than a small dog and swayed Terry to the joys of being a cat person with very un-cat-like loyalty; and Phunnie Cat, who grew to 28 pounds, loved getting in the tub while Terry tried to shower, and shared many years of laughter and snuggles.
Terry was, and always will be, a sailor. To say that Terry loved sailing is akin to saying it's nice to breathe air. He never felt more alive than when he was at tiller or wheel, pulling in the jib or raising a spinnaker to gain more speed. (Or playfully turning about to catch the unobservant "deck hand" with a surprise boom to the back-side.) He felt a connection to water and wind that went to the depths of his soul.
Professionally, Terry spent his entire career of over 30 years in public service working as a Surgical Tech at the Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA Hospital). He excelled at his job and wore many hats from nurse, to robotic surgery operator, to patient counselor, to anesthesiologist, to librarian - he was always happy to learn and share his experience teaching others. Throughout his career, Terry received a multitude of awards and recognition for his superior performance and meritorious service. He was also an active member, and once served as President, of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Terry thought of the VA as a second home; and all his colleagues and the many friends he'd made over the years, as family. (Except for that one doctor who was an egotistical ass). Even after he was forced to retire, as a result of developing degenerative Plantar Fasciitis from decades of standing through long surgeries, he continued to "go to work", volunteering hundreds of hours in the patient library for several more years.
Terry rarely passed up an opportunity to share a smile, or a joke, a cup of cream and sugar with coffee, or to playfully flirt with a woman. He was a better man, and a far more generous soul than most ever knew. Terry was naturally empathetic and he could sense emotionally injured people from a mile away. He was always helping strays - both cats and people, and he was always quick to rescue those in need - paying for car repairs, groceries, or dental work, offering rides, sharing smokes, or snow-blowing half the neighborhood - even though it meant he'd spend the next 3 days, in pain and off his feet.
Though he didn't often share his feelings, Terry loved his friends and family like an iceberg - Immensely, and with so much more of himself deep beneath the surface. He was extremely sentimental and held tightly to the many mementos, gifts, songs, and pictures of the people and places that moved him.
A celebration of life is being planned for spring 2019, in lieu of a service, and will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts made in Terry's name can be made in many ways; The most priceless, generous, and appreciated donation is the gift of your TIME spent as a volunteer - at your local VA hospital, hospice facility, or animal shelter; Also appreciated is a donation of newer books or magazines to the Spokane VAMC patient library, or as a monetary donation to Hospice House of Spokane, your local animal shelter, or the Spokane VAMC.
ref: Spokesman-Review from Dec. 12, 2018
Terry was born in Seattle, WA in 1952. He grew up on Navy bases around the world and spent some of his impressionable years helping on his grandparents' dairy farm in Montana, being taught by very strict nuns at a Catholic school in Ireland, and tooling around Bayview, ID on Lake Pend Oreille. Terry graduated from East Valley High School in 1970 and went on to obtain several Certifications in Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Hypnotherapy.
Terry is survived by his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Crystal Nicole (Aakre Calais) Sverdsten, her husband, Eric; grandson, (AKA great nephew) Justice "JT" Terrance Bud Boothe; sister, Bunny Lou (Aakre Thompson) Swanson, her husband, Scott; niece, Heather (Thompson) Sheffield, her husband, Ken; great nephew, Lincoln, great niece, Lacey; niece, Holly Thompson-White, her husband, Don; and his much-loved companion, Buddy Cat, whom Terry swore could tell time, and whom Terry devotedly cared for despite Buddy's insistence on behaving like a cat.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Louise (Graham Aakre) Gorman; father, Clarence Aakre; sister, Rose Marie Aakre; and his late feline friends Steve, the white stray who grew larger than a small dog and swayed Terry to the joys of being a cat person with very un-cat-like loyalty; and Phunnie Cat, who grew to 28 pounds, loved getting in the tub while Terry tried to shower, and shared many years of laughter and snuggles.
Terry was, and always will be, a sailor. To say that Terry loved sailing is akin to saying it's nice to breathe air. He never felt more alive than when he was at tiller or wheel, pulling in the jib or raising a spinnaker to gain more speed. (Or playfully turning about to catch the unobservant "deck hand" with a surprise boom to the back-side.) He felt a connection to water and wind that went to the depths of his soul.
Professionally, Terry spent his entire career of over 30 years in public service working as a Surgical Tech at the Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA Hospital). He excelled at his job and wore many hats from nurse, to robotic surgery operator, to patient counselor, to anesthesiologist, to librarian - he was always happy to learn and share his experience teaching others. Throughout his career, Terry received a multitude of awards and recognition for his superior performance and meritorious service. He was also an active member, and once served as President, of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Terry thought of the VA as a second home; and all his colleagues and the many friends he'd made over the years, as family. (Except for that one doctor who was an egotistical ass). Even after he was forced to retire, as a result of developing degenerative Plantar Fasciitis from decades of standing through long surgeries, he continued to "go to work", volunteering hundreds of hours in the patient library for several more years.
Terry rarely passed up an opportunity to share a smile, or a joke, a cup of cream and sugar with coffee, or to playfully flirt with a woman. He was a better man, and a far more generous soul than most ever knew. Terry was naturally empathetic and he could sense emotionally injured people from a mile away. He was always helping strays - both cats and people, and he was always quick to rescue those in need - paying for car repairs, groceries, or dental work, offering rides, sharing smokes, or snow-blowing half the neighborhood - even though it meant he'd spend the next 3 days, in pain and off his feet.
Though he didn't often share his feelings, Terry loved his friends and family like an iceberg - Immensely, and with so much more of himself deep beneath the surface. He was extremely sentimental and held tightly to the many mementos, gifts, songs, and pictures of the people and places that moved him.
A celebration of life is being planned for spring 2019, in lieu of a service, and will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts made in Terry's name can be made in many ways; The most priceless, generous, and appreciated donation is the gift of your TIME spent as a volunteer - at your local VA hospital, hospice facility, or animal shelter; Also appreciated is a donation of newer books or magazines to the Spokane VAMC patient library, or as a monetary donation to Hospice House of Spokane, your local animal shelter, or the Spokane VAMC.
ref: Spokesman-Review from Dec. 12, 2018
Terrence "Terry" Olaf Aakre, 66, of Spokane, WA, raised his sails and set his final course for eternal peace on August 25, 2018, after a stroke and late discovery of advanced cancer.
Terry was born in Seattle, WA in 1952. He grew up on Navy bases around the world and spent some of his impressionable years helping on his grandparents' dairy farm in Montana, being taught by very strict nuns at a Catholic school in Ireland, and tooling around Bayview, ID on Lake Pend Oreille. Terry graduated from East Valley High School in 1970 and went on to obtain several Certifications in Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Hypnotherapy.
Terry is survived by his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Crystal Nicole (Aakre Calais) Sverdsten, her husband, Eric; grandson, (AKA great nephew) Justice "JT" Terrance Bud Boothe; sister, Bunny Lou (Aakre Thompson) Swanson, her husband, Scott; niece, Heather (Thompson) Sheffield, her husband, Ken; great nephew, Lincoln, great niece, Lacey; niece, Holly Thompson-White, her husband, Don; and his much-loved companion, Buddy Cat, whom Terry swore could tell time, and whom Terry devotedly cared for despite Buddy's insistence on behaving like a cat.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Louise (Graham Aakre) Gorman; father, Clarence Aakre; sister, Rose Marie Aakre; and his late feline friends Steve, the white stray who grew larger than a small dog and swayed Terry to the joys of being a cat person with very un-cat-like loyalty; and Phunnie Cat, who grew to 28 pounds, loved getting in the tub while Terry tried to shower, and shared many years of laughter and snuggles.
Terry was, and always will be, a sailor. To say that Terry loved sailing is akin to saying it's nice to breathe air. He never felt more alive than when he was at tiller or wheel, pulling in the jib or raising a spinnaker to gain more speed. (Or playfully turning about to catch the unobservant "deck hand" with a surprise boom to the back-side.) He felt a connection to water and wind that went to the depths of his soul.
Professionally, Terry spent his entire career of over 30 years in public service working as a Surgical Tech at the Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA Hospital). He excelled at his job and wore many hats from nurse, to robotic surgery operator, to patient counselor, to anesthesiologist, to librarian - he was always happy to learn and share his experience teaching others. Throughout his career, Terry received a multitude of awards and recognition for his superior performance and meritorious service. He was also an active member, and once served as President, of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Terry thought of the VA as a second home; and all his colleagues and the many friends he'd made over the years, as family. (Except for that one doctor who was an egotistical ass). Even after he was forced to retire, as a result of developing degenerative Plantar Fasciitis from decades of standing through long surgeries, he continued to "go to work", volunteering hundreds of hours in the patient library for several more years.
Terry rarely passed up an opportunity to share a smile, or a joke, a cup of cream and sugar with coffee, or to playfully flirt with a woman. He was a better man, and a far more generous soul than most ever knew. Terry was naturally empathetic and he could sense emotionally injured people from a mile away. He was always helping strays - both cats and people, and he was always quick to rescue those in need - paying for car repairs, groceries, or dental work, offering rides, sharing smokes, or snow-blowing half the neighborhood - even though it meant he'd spend the next 3 days, in pain and off his feet.
Though he didn't often share his feelings, Terry loved his friends and family like an iceberg - Immensely, and with so much more of himself deep beneath the surface. He was extremely sentimental and held tightly to the many mementos, gifts, songs, and pictures of the people and places that moved him.
A celebration of life is being planned for spring 2019, in lieu of a service, and will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts made in Terry's name can be made in many ways; The most priceless, generous, and appreciated donation is the gift of your TIME spent as a volunteer - at your local VA hospital, hospice facility, or animal shelter; Also appreciated is a donation of newer books or magazines to the Spokane VAMC patient library, or as a monetary donation to Hospice House of Spokane, your local animal shelter, or the Spokane VAMC.
ref: Spokesman-Review from Dec. 12, 2018
Terry was born in Seattle, WA in 1952. He grew up on Navy bases around the world and spent some of his impressionable years helping on his grandparents' dairy farm in Montana, being taught by very strict nuns at a Catholic school in Ireland, and tooling around Bayview, ID on Lake Pend Oreille. Terry graduated from East Valley High School in 1970 and went on to obtain several Certifications in Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Hypnotherapy.
Terry is survived by his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Crystal Nicole (Aakre Calais) Sverdsten, her husband, Eric; grandson, (AKA great nephew) Justice "JT" Terrance Bud Boothe; sister, Bunny Lou (Aakre Thompson) Swanson, her husband, Scott; niece, Heather (Thompson) Sheffield, her husband, Ken; great nephew, Lincoln, great niece, Lacey; niece, Holly Thompson-White, her husband, Don; and his much-loved companion, Buddy Cat, whom Terry swore could tell time, and whom Terry devotedly cared for despite Buddy's insistence on behaving like a cat.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Louise (Graham Aakre) Gorman; father, Clarence Aakre; sister, Rose Marie Aakre; and his late feline friends Steve, the white stray who grew larger than a small dog and swayed Terry to the joys of being a cat person with very un-cat-like loyalty; and Phunnie Cat, who grew to 28 pounds, loved getting in the tub while Terry tried to shower, and shared many years of laughter and snuggles.
Terry was, and always will be, a sailor. To say that Terry loved sailing is akin to saying it's nice to breathe air. He never felt more alive than when he was at tiller or wheel, pulling in the jib or raising a spinnaker to gain more speed. (Or playfully turning about to catch the unobservant "deck hand" with a surprise boom to the back-side.) He felt a connection to water and wind that went to the depths of his soul.
Professionally, Terry spent his entire career of over 30 years in public service working as a Surgical Tech at the Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA Hospital). He excelled at his job and wore many hats from nurse, to robotic surgery operator, to patient counselor, to anesthesiologist, to librarian - he was always happy to learn and share his experience teaching others. Throughout his career, Terry received a multitude of awards and recognition for his superior performance and meritorious service. He was also an active member, and once served as President, of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Terry thought of the VA as a second home; and all his colleagues and the many friends he'd made over the years, as family. (Except for that one doctor who was an egotistical ass). Even after he was forced to retire, as a result of developing degenerative Plantar Fasciitis from decades of standing through long surgeries, he continued to "go to work", volunteering hundreds of hours in the patient library for several more years.
Terry rarely passed up an opportunity to share a smile, or a joke, a cup of cream and sugar with coffee, or to playfully flirt with a woman. He was a better man, and a far more generous soul than most ever knew. Terry was naturally empathetic and he could sense emotionally injured people from a mile away. He was always helping strays - both cats and people, and he was always quick to rescue those in need - paying for car repairs, groceries, or dental work, offering rides, sharing smokes, or snow-blowing half the neighborhood - even though it meant he'd spend the next 3 days, in pain and off his feet.
Though he didn't often share his feelings, Terry loved his friends and family like an iceberg - Immensely, and with so much more of himself deep beneath the surface. He was extremely sentimental and held tightly to the many mementos, gifts, songs, and pictures of the people and places that moved him.
A celebration of life is being planned for spring 2019, in lieu of a service, and will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts made in Terry's name can be made in many ways; The most priceless, generous, and appreciated donation is the gift of your TIME spent as a volunteer - at your local VA hospital, hospice facility, or animal shelter; Also appreciated is a donation of newer books or magazines to the Spokane VAMC patient library, or as a monetary donation to Hospice House of Spokane, your local animal shelter, or the Spokane VAMC.
ref: Spokesman-Review from Dec. 12, 2018
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