Remembering Terry Ebersole

It is with profound sadness that the family of Terry Lee Ebersole share he died on Saturday, March 4th at Harborview Medical Center following a short illness preceded by a fall.

Terry was the firstborn and only son of Walter “Pete” and Jean Adamson Ebersole, born on August 30, 1943 in Bayard, Iowa. He was the older brother of Sherry Thomas and Kris Westlake.

During his high school years he was involved in many extracurricular activities from track to choir to drama – who knew? Over the summers of their Jr and Sr years, he and his best friend, Rob, opened a root beer and burger joint called the Lucky Drive-In, so-named because they’d be lucky to keep it open and running! If you know Terry, you know he was never a cook, but his mom contributed to their venture as their off- site chef for loose meat sandwiches and her yummy pies. Only once did they make more than $100 – opening day!

Following high school, Terry received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Iowa and then joined the Peace Corps serving in Madhya, India with the India 20A group as one of “Kennedy’s Kiddies” from ‘65-‘67. There he taught the ins and outs of raising chickens.

This is also where he and Janet Ruehl met, fell in love and began the first of many adventures together.

During the Vietnam conflict Terry enlisted in the US Navy from 1968-1971, first as an Ensign on the USS Wasp and then as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade at the Communication Station in Keflavik, Iceland from 1970-1971.

While stationed on the USS Wasp, Terry was able to arrange for shore leave in Oslo, Norway where he and Jan married on June 9, 1969. Their adventures continued in Iceland as Jan was able to go with him, affording them the opportunity to live off base, amongst the locals where they adopted their only child, Amy. Upon returning to the States Terry received his Master’s of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 1972.

Their small family moved next to Alexandria, VA where Terry began his long career with the Federal Transit Administration, initially as a Community Planner in Washington, DC. In 1976 they moved (with their 4-year-old daughter and cat, Bummer) across the country in a Volkswagen Bug to the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle where Terry worked as a Transportation Representative, eventually becoming Regional Administrator until his retirement in 1995 when he and Jan began their next adventure by moving to Guemes Island.

Terry and Jan loved their home, friends, and community on the island. For years they were both involved with various island activities and fundraisers. During this time Terry also engaged with Secret Harbor for 10+ years in various positions, including volunteer, Development Coordinator and board member. Even with all their travels and love for the fine arts, there was literally nowhere else in the world that they wanted to be. They were fortunate to do just what they’d hoped to: live out the rest of their lives on the island.

Terry is survived by his daughter, Amy Ebersole, daughter-in-law Amy Tyler, granddaughter, Lyric Otto as well as his sisters and brother-in-law Sherry Thomas of Clinton IA and Kris and Wes Westlake of Des Moines, IA, their families and cousins. He is also survived by his oldest and dearest friend, Robert Brideson of Hollywood, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, his brother-in-law, Tom Thomas and his parents.

Those who knew Terry (aka “Boog”, Dad, Papa and recently, “Old Man”) well knew he was a man who believed in science, had a strong and deep appreciation for our country and was ever ready to discuss politics and the importance of being actively involved in promoting social justice and equality. He was funny – he had a great sense of humor, quick wit and was fun to banter with. For years, he’d helped Jan as her health slowly, but steadily declined to the point he was no longer able to help her without others. It was difficult and exhausting for him to watch her go, but over the last year and a half we got to watch him slowly reemerge and become more active and engaged again. We found that FaceTime was much easier than trying to talk on the phone, and enjoyed doing so at least a few nights a week, as well as regular weekend visits with dinner here and there in between. We are so grateful we had that time with him.

He’d recently gotten excited about sprucing up his yard, having had the deck replaced, and had affectionately cutback the rhodie so “Gloria” could be better seen and so we could later reattach her arms. He’d gone to unload those clippings when he fell and hit his head. We spent 10 difficult but precious days with him in the ICU before he told us he loved us and sent us on our way, so he could be on his. Still, his loss has hit us incredibly hard, we were sure he’d live into his 90s, yet he’s gone and we’re left another reminder life isn’t guaranteed.

To ensure all who want to honor Jan and Terry can, there will be a Celebration of their lives on Saturday, August 26th from 2p-4p (rather than in June as previously announced) at the Ebersole home on Guemes Island, 5308 W. Shore Rd. For those coming to Guemes, there is limited parking, so we kindly ask you to either carpool onto the island or let us know you’re walking-on and we’ll have someone greet you at the ferry.

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