Terry Boyer, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 19, 2019, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. The son of Jack and Laura (Luark) Boyer, Terry was a lifelong resident of Montesano and descendent of the pioneer Luark family who settled there in the 1850s. Both parents preceded Terry in death.
Terry graduated from Montesano High School and St. Martin’s University. He had a varied work career beginning at Whitney’s pumping gas. At age 20, he traveled to Alaska and worked in a pipeline camp for several years. He also spent time as a mechanic, heavy equipment operator, ran a log sorting yard with his brother-in-law Gib, was part owner of Satsop Nursery, and finally a special education teacher.
Terry grew up a Boy Scout with his dad, Jack, as the scout leader, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Hiking in the Olympics was a Boy Scout and family activity as he was growing up. Terry continued hiking with his own children until he was disabled with chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome at age 40.
Terry was the sixth generation of his family to attend the Montesano United Methodist Church. A 50-year member of the choir, his voice was a force to be reckoned with. He was active in the United Methodist Men’s Group, served as chairman of the Trustee Committee in the 1990s, and donated countless hours to baking whenever there was a need for cookies or cinnamon rolls.
One of Terry’s early loves was growing plants of any type, particularly fuchsias, geraniums and tomatoes. Friends and family were often gifted with items from his garden and greenhouse. He also loved to tinker and built a biodiesel processor that powered the family vehicles with waste vegetable oil.
Terry enjoyed cars of any type, but had a particular fondness for Oldsmobiles, especially his 1958 Oldsmobile Ninety-eight. He restored an Oldsmobile Cutlass with each of his four children as they started to drive.
Terry was the type of person that would help anyone who was in need. His life is measured in how much love he gave to his family and friends. To know Terry was to know goodness. He is and will be so missed by many.
Terry is survived by his wife, Carol (Peterson) Boyer, his four children; Kären (Jayson) Marroquin; David (Hannah) Boyer; Felicia (Jeff) Allen; and Sally (Alex) Swenson, five grandchildren; Lily, Maximilian, Jack, Phoebe and Baby Girl Potter Boyer, whose arrival is expected any day. Terry is also survived by other children that he loved as his own, Kyle Boogaard, George and Stephanie Alfateras, Amanda Brandt and many others. He is also survived by his siblings Linda (Peter) Rushton Boyer, Bruce Boyer and Beth (Gib) Peterson.
A memorial service will be held for Terry on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Montesano United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to the Montesano United Methodist Church, 401 E. Spruce Ave., Montesano, WA 98563.
