Terrance Terry E Va Geest, January 16, 1948 — May 15, 2018

Obituary for Terrance “Terry” E. VanGeest Terrance (Terry) Edward Van Geest was born in Brainard, Minnesota January 16, 1948. He grew up on a dairy farm, living the adventurous life that boys of that time were drawn to. His love of bow hunting began early on, sometimes using his younger brother, Don, as the target.

Terry enjoyed being the oldest sibling, as it gave him a height and weight advantage. As adulthood approached, Terry signed up for the Navy and shipped off to Vietnam. He served on the Kitty Hawk and as a gunner.

To make the time more interesting, he took up boxing, where her outdid much of his competition. Upon discharge, Terry came home to Oregon. Here he married and had a daughter, Christina.

A few years later, Terry married again, adding his wife Joanne’s daughter, Jennifer, to the family. Joanne and Terry were blessed with their son, Matthew. The family of five lived in Blodgett, enjoying their home in the woods.

Terry fished and hunted, providing food year-round. Terry taught the girls that there was no job, task, or challenge they couldn’t tackle as well as a man. By his example and instruction, the kids learned to work hard, value independence, and never give up.

Terry and Joanne lost Matt at the age of seven after a hard-fought battle against Gaucher’s Disease. Eventually Terry became a grandfather and excelled at this new role, sneaking maple doughnuts and M&M’s to his young grandchildren. Terry cared for Joanne as she fought cancer, joining Matt in 2009.

Terry then married Alicia in July of 2010. The two of them enjoyed traveling together, living for a time in the Dominican Republic. When they returned to the states, they made their home in Keizer.

Terry is survived by his wife, Alicia Van Geest; daughters, Christina Nelson (Jason) and Jennifer Hayes (Brad); step-children, Dave Hottman (Laura), and Debbie Abeyta (Tom) grandchildren, Ryan, Joshua, Aleasha, and Emma Nelson, and Parker Ayers; step-grandchildren, Mackenzie Hottman, Amber Hottman, Cassie Abeyta, and Andy Abeyta; brothers, Donald Van Geest and Mike Van Geest; and his sister, Jean Van Geest.

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