Clifford Goodliffe Terry

History of Clifford Goodliffe Terry
1st October 1923 to 14th December 1985

Son of:
Franklin Amos Terry
Ellen Anna Goodliffe

Married to:
Eileen
17th January 1946
Sealed

Biography & History
By Doug Terry, his son

Cliff was born on October 1, 1923 in Enterprise, UT. He was a bouncing blue eyed baby boy. By the time he arrived, he had several older sisters and an older brother, Gordon.

Cliff and Gordon would grow up doing many things together and were very close throughout their childhood. Along with the two of them, their Uncle Athna was close in age and he would spend a lot of time growing up with them also.

There were many good memories that were passed down to us from Cliff. He used to talk about getting a pocket “dollar” watch as his only Christmas gift. Even into his fifties, his eyes would light up when he talked about the simple but wonderful memories of his childhood. He would also talk about getting a Christmas stocking with mixed nuts and one orange. It was a huge treat and he would recall how sweet they always seemed to be. Cliff carried his love of nuts and oranges throughout his life. In his and Eileen’s houses during the holidays, you could always count on a bowl of mixed nuts and oranges. Simple reminders of the life and memories he cherished as a child.

Cliff would often time talk about the times he spent on the summer ranch in the mountains. He would tell stories of the game warden riding through their land and spending the night camping and eating with them. He said they would feed him venison and they never got in trouble for having venison because the game warden knew they needed it to survive and that they never wasted it.

He told stories of guiding wealthy Californians on hunting trips into the hills and helping take home their trophies. He used to talk about not going to school in the fall because he was needed on the farm to finish the season and bring in the harvest. Then, by the time he got to school, he had to work hard to catch up and then work ahead so he could leave early in the spring so he could help plant in the spring and work the cattle.

He enjoyed school and social activities and used to talk about going to dances. He graduated from Enterprise High School and the caption underneath his senior picture read, “Tough but oh so gentle!” He told stories of winning the rope climb and holding the state record. We never questioned this or verified it we just assumed it was true. He would talk about traveling to Pioche and other nearby towns to play basketball. He loved basketball throughout his whole life. 

His sister LaVerna wrote him a letter later in life thanking him for being such a good big brother. She mentioned that he always saved a dance for her and even took her to a dance or prom since she didn’t have a date. He always went out of his way to make her feel special. LaVerna wanted to thank him for always making sure his redheaded freckled sister felt special and always has someone to dance with.

Around this time in his life, Cliff was drafted into the service. Although he never glorified his service or asked for any recognition, he answered the call and served his country. He entered the Army at Fort Rogers and was assigned to the 110^th Mountain Infantry. This was a new unit for the Army and involved training in various climates and situations involving mountainous terrain. They would train to climb and rappel, skiing, snowshoe etc. so that they could operate in any mountainous environment.

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He was then assigned to the 87^th Mountain Regiment and would serve in Northern Africa and Italy. [Cliff and his brother Gordon both serviced in Italy, the picture below of them shaking hands was taken on February 28, 1945, in Italy during WWII].

In the Italian Alps, he would use the skills learned in training. He told one story of being on a reconnaissance mission with a small team when they stopped for a break and water. He said they did exactly what they were told not to do and bunched up into a group. Cliff said that the “still small voice” told him to walk away. He went a short distance and sat on a rock placing his rifle beside him. Just as he began to drink from his canteen, he saw a German soldier getting ready to throw a grenade into the group of men he had just left. He had no time to raise his gun so he just turned in on the rock in that direction and pulled the trigger. The German soldier was struck in the neck and the men in his company were unharmed.

His steadfast commitment to live his religion provided a protection to him throughout his army service. His unit served under the 5^th Army and under General George S. Patton. Cliff would be wounded in battle and he received a Purple Heart. His courage and Bravery also earned him a Bronze Star. He returned home a decorated hero from his service with a Good Conduct medal and a European Service Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars signifying his participation in 4 of the 5 largest conflicts in the European Theater. He also received a marksman medal and Infantry Badge.  (Doug wrote to me later the following:  “Interesting and obvious to those who know him is that he was most proud of the good conduct medal.  Because that allowed the spirit of our Heavenly Father to guide and influence him and to be prompted by the Holy Ghost.  Without that, the heroic accomplishments couldn’t have happened.  I think he lived his life the same way.”)

During his service in the army, Cliff met Don Wells. Don was from Ogden Utah and the two of them would become lifelong friends. Around this time, Cliff met and fell in love with Eileen Gillins. We were told that they met at a dance while he was on a leave from the war. We have also heard stories about his buddy Don Wells writing the love letters that he sent home to her. Apparently, Don would write the letters and Cliff would sign them and send them. I’m sure they were his words, just dressed up a bit by his friend.

During his service he also learned to cut hair. He told stories of charging soldiers for their haircuts and they would pay in either money or military script or cigarettes. He would later sell the cigarettes back to the soldiers and he would send the money home to his parents to help with the farm.

When he returned home, he and Eileen were married January 17, 1946. He attended the Utah Barber College and graduated. This would be his trade for many years as he and Eileen built their life and family together. She worked in the bank as a teller to help support their life. Cliff would open and own many of his own barber shops around the Salt Lake area. He had a shop in Kearns and later in Midvale where he and Eileen would spend the majority of their married lives together.

Together, they enjoyed traveling and cars. Cliff would buy cars and travel to the factory to pick them up and drive them back. He always loved a good driving touring car. They went to the Rose Bowl parade and football game every year for many years and would travel and enjoy seeing the country with family and friends. Cliff and Eileen loved family and gatherings and they would open their home to anyone for any reason. Weddings and gatherings were held in their home and they loved being able to share these experiences with the ones they loved. Cliff suffered from rheumatic fever as a child and as a result, was unable to have children. Cliff and Eileen loved each other and eventually they were able to add to their family through adoption. They adopted Janice in 1956 and Doug in 1963. They were so delighted to have this blessing in their lives and it has been said that the only days his barbershop was ever closed was the days that he took off to go pick up his children and bring them home tight.

He served in several bishoprics and as a stake missionary with Eileen. He was very involved in community service as well and he ran and was elected as a City Counselor and Police Commissioner. He loved basketball and he played church ball with the men in his ward and would referee basketball for many years. As the Town barber, he knew everyone and he had many friends.  He loved the community of Midvale and worked tirelessly to make it a great place for families. He would acquire land next to his barber shop and add onto it eventually creating a strip mall. He had a knack for making money and real estate, a combination which would later serve him well.

Cliff’s barbershop was closed on Mondays and while his wife was at work at the bank, he would use the day to golf, do yard work, and get things done. One of the things that he always made time for was to go downtown and take care of whatever Grandma Terry needed. He would also stop in and check on his brother Gordon and Pauline to offer whatever assistance he could. Cliff and Eileen loved family and they would jump in the car almost every Sunday afternoon and go visit someone. If they were ever driving near a cousin, aunt, or any other relative, they would always stop to visit. Even trips to Minersville were planned to go through Milford to seen Pete and Leila and Aunt Grace and others. They never passed near someone without stopping to visit. They made it a point to visit everyone they could, every chance they got.

Later in life, Cliff took his large network of friends and acquaintances and love of real estate and became a Realtor. He started with Heartland Realty and he won every possible award he could for his sales. He was a member of the Million Dollar Club. He eventually got his broker’s license and opened his own Century 21 franchise office. His office was very successful as he poured his efforts into helping the agents succeed. During this time, he was able to help many family members to buy and sell homes. His favorite deals were the ones where he was able to help his family to buy a home. Cliff’s health declined and he eventually sold the real estate office.

He would endure two quadruple bi-pass surgeries and a pace maker. His first heart surgery was through the veteran’s administration and was done at Stanford Medical Center. During this time, his nephew Bill Martin, was in medical school and was studying at Stanford. Bill was able to sit in on the surgery and upon his discharge; Bill took Cliff home to care for him until he could fly back to Salt Lake. The blessing of having Bill there and the care that he received from Bill and his family was something he always cherished. His family back in Salt Lake was equally grateful. Just prior to his second surgery at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Cliff gathered his wife and kids for a family prayer. During the prayer, the Catholic Priest assigned to the hospital came in and stood quietly in the corner. When the prayer was over, the Priest apologized and said that the spirit of love and peace in the room was so strong that he couldn’t leave and he wanted to stay and feel it. The Lord confirmed to the family that he would be okay and would endure the surgery and be fine.

Around 1979, Cliff and Eileen moved to West Jordan. This gave them a whole new experience as the area was growing and full of young families. Here they were the grandma and grandpa to many kids in the neighborhood and in their ward. They also had many young couples who looked to them for advice and support. They used to babysit their own grandchildren and the grandchildren along with kids in the neighborhood that loved them so much. Some of the little boys in the neighborhood would come over and ring the doorbell and ask if Cliff was home. They would just hang out with him going to the lumber yard or store. His kindness was apparent and even so obvious to little children.

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Cliff began working at the Jordan River Temple and would work the rest of his life in one positon or another at the temple. Upon his passing, one of his co-workers wrote a poem about him:

“A Tribute to Clifford Terry”

There is a spot within our hearts
That will ever keep him near
With the memory or his love
For all he worked with here.

The way that he attend
To the things assigned to him,
In a quiet unassuming way
Will remain with us and never die.

We know that God has called him home
And he is needed there.
But, our dear brother, how we miss him
And the help he gave us here.

Though his health, we knew, was failing
His courage never never wained.
He was there and ever ready
To share the knowledge he had gained.

That little twinkle in his eye
Lightened up the day for us;
As we shared with him the duties
That came within our trust.

We are sure the ones he served
As he labored for their need
Were there to welcome him
For his every thought and deed.

As he labors there with them
As we know he was called to do;
The blessings of the Lord
Will be with him and here with you.

We know the love you shared with him
Will never be diminished, though,
And the parting brought about
Is there to help you grow.

So accept from us our thoughts of him
Our loyal brother that we love;
Who now prepares a place for you
In that eternal home above.

Now we pray for you, dear sister;
That your burdens will be light,
As you wait to join him
In the cause of truth and right.

This poem was written by Lloyd R. Wright and was signed by 48 of his co-workers at the temple. The finished poem and signatures was given to Eileen at his funeral.

Cliff helped Janice and her husband build a new home nearby them in West Jordan. He would help and do things that he shouldn’t have been doing but his hardworking values, love for his family, and desire to help always seemed to win out. There was not a lot anyone could do to get him to sit and watch if there was something that needed to be done. It was this never quit drive that eventually took his life. He suffered a major heart attack after shoveling and blowing snow at his strip mall on a cold December morning. He had been cautioned about this kind of activity but asking someone else to do it was not in his nature.

Tough but oh so gentle, the caption was true. A life well lived in the service of his Master, with his beloved wife by his side and his family around him. His example is one to be followed.