History of Gordon F. Terry
15th February 1921 to 25th January 1979
Son of:
Franklin Amos Terry
Ellen Anna Goodliffe
Married to:
Pauline
19th July 1943
Sealed 11th February 1944
By Paula Terry Morgan, his daughter
Gordon’s Grandma, Anna Jane Josephson Goodliffe said: “I learned that my earthly parents are of highly favored lineage. Therefore, my heritage is one of the very greatest in all the world, and by living a clean and virtuous life, I can pass onto my posterity clean bodies from the choicest blood in the land. I received above all a testimony that God lives that this is His work, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (From “My Birthright” by Anna Jane Josephson Goodliffe)
It was still winter in Enterprise, Utah, on February 15, 1921. It was the day after Valentine’s Day. Ellen Anna Goodliffe Terry gave birth to a baby boy. His father, Franklin Amos Terry was very excited. They gave their first son the name of Gordon F. Terry. Gordon had two older sisters, Arvetta and Leila. They were very helpful, and helped their moth take care of their baby brother. There were other brothers and sisters that followed Gordon. They were Clifford, LaVerna, Leona, Wendell, Jewel, Arnold and Clea Jean. Gordon and his family lived on a ranch/farm in Enterprise, Utah. They raised potatoes and beans. They had some milk cows, chickens and horses. They mostly raised pigs. A typical meal at the Terry home was: bread, potatoes and gravy, beans and sometimes venison.
Gordon, the oldest son always had plenty to do around the house. Before and after school he had to milk the cows and feed the other animals. Occasionally, it was Gordon’s job to cook potatoes, grain and water. They would feed this mixture to the pigs.
At the end of a school year and the beginning of summer, the Terry family would pack up the essentials in their wagon and head to their ranch a few miles out of town. (Approximately 12-15 miles west of Enterprise) They would live there all through the summer till school started in the fall. During the summer months they would continue to work and play hard. Hauling hay was one of their many duties. One day as they were hauling hay, Gordon was on one side of the wagon, and Cliff was on the other side. Their younger brother, Wendell was on the wagon packing the hay as they threw it onto the wagon. Gordon and Cliff were having fun; they kept throwing the hay on Wendell. In one pile of hay they threw on him, a big rattle snake came crawling out. They never saw Wendell move so fast! Frank (their father) would turn his pigs loose in the hay fields; somehow the pigs would kill the rattle snakes. The snakes never would hurt the pigs. One year one of their neighbors had a problem with the pigs. They into is yard or something. He shot 5 or 6 pigs and left them to lay dead right in the field. The boys remembered this made their father sad, and mad.
During the summer months Gordon, Cliff and Uncle Orvin would get on their horses and head to Crestline or Hamblin Valley. There they would look for and catch wild mustangs. They caught quite a few horses. Gordon’s favorite horse was a stocky brown mustang. He called him Rex. Gordon loved this horse. He would always tell his children that this was his favorite horse. Rex was a very fast horse; Gordon claimed one of the fastest in the area. One day Gordon, Cliff and Wendell took Rex to a race in Gunlock. There was a lot of betting going on. Gordon asked Wendell to ride Rex in the race because Wendell was lighter in weight. He had rode Rex many times before. Wendell agreed to ride Rex in the race; he felt he could do it. Wendell was mounted on Rex at the starting line. The gun fired and the race began. Rex took off so fast that Wendell almost fell off the back of the horse. By the time he recovered the other horses had gotten too big of a head start. No one won money that day!
At the end of the summer the family would pack all their things back into the wagon and head back to Enterprise. It was time for a new school year. Gordon did well in school. He loved to play sports; they mostly played basketball and baseball. One of Gordon’s teachers in high school said, “He never heard Gordon say anything bad about another student. He always treated people with kindness and respect.”
One of Gordon’s many talents was singing and playing the guitar and harmonica. He played in the school orchestra. Everyone always tried to talk him into singing in the school assemblies. He never wanted to. However, he did sing in a couple of them. One time he sang with his little sister, Leona. They sang harmony. She loved it and always loved to sing with her big brother Gordon. His little sisters’ always felt like Gordon spoiled them. When the family finished the chores they would sit around and tell stories. Gordon would get his guitar out, and the family would sing songs together.
In the winter Gordon would make skis out of barrows. He would tie them to his feet and use sticks for poles. In the winter of 1938-39 the Terry family ran out of alfalfa hay. The summer before there had been a drought, and because of the drought their hay was scarce that year. They had about 19-20 head of milk cows. They needed food for them. Frank (their father) decided to take the cows up to the ranch to let them eat the grass hay they had up there so the cows would not starve to death. This was Gordon’s last year in high school. However, Gordon agreed to take the cattle to the ranch in order to help his father and the family. His younger brother Arnold went with him for company. He was 4-5 years old at the time. Every morning Gordon would fix biscuits, potatoes and eggs. Arnold would stoke the fire while Gordon would feed and milk the cows. The two of them would drink all the milk they could then they would throw the rest of the milk away. That winter Gordon taught Arnold to ride his horse Rex. One chore they did was to gather all the cow droppings and make dikes out of them. They did this so as the snow melted the run off would go into the high parts of the meadow. Gordon realized Christmas was coming. There was no present for Arnold. Gordon knew he would be disappointed. Determined not to let this happen Gordon went out to the wood pile. He found a couple of good pieces of wood. When Arnold fell asleep at night, Gordon would stay up whittling in the wee hours of the morning until he had made a small wagon out of wood. He just needed a couple of pretend horses to pull it. Gordon felt good about the wagon and Arnold loved the special gift from Santa. Soon in the spring the rest of the family joined them.
Hunting and fishing were Gordon’s favorite things to do in his spare time. His brother Wendell loved to go hunting with Gordon. Gordon was a good hunter. Wendell remembers one time when Gordon hit a buck at 500 yards!
Gordon set a great example. Even though he suffered many trials with his health he was always cheerful and never gave up. He was always willing to help someone in need. He would take his boat on many church activities or to a family get together. He would not dock his boat until everyone had a chance to ski or to go for a ride. Remembering his life and example can help us as we face events and trials in our own life.
Gordon and Pauline Terry
Tribute by Dorothy C. Hammond, his niece
All of my Terry uncles have a special place in my heart. I doubt that anyone knows that Uncle Gordon helped me when I was a teenager. Perhaps the following stories will exemplify his great love and compassion for others. He was a great noble man who made a difference in my life, I love him very much. He quietly served others in many ways and I shall always be grateful for his influence in my life.
Due to my father’s illness I was not allowed to ever drive his automobiles. In order for me to earn money I needed transportation to go to work. As soon as I was a sophomore in high school I started working at Wally’s Burger Bar as a car hop. My mom would take me to work and pick me up. This was a hardship on her because of her work schedule and family responsibilities. I saved every cent that I earned and eventually saved enough money to buy my first car. Mom and I asked Uncle Gordon to keep an eye out for a car that I could buy. Eventually, he called to say that he had the perfect car, a 1949 Chevrolet! I was elated and so happy that I would have transportation. I bought the car several days before I turned sixteen and could legally drive. Paying for the insurance and buying gasoline seemed to take most of my earnings at first. However, I managed to continue working and to save money to participate in my high school choirs. I was able to do so my sophomore year. During my junior year my father became very ill and I started working a second job at Harmon’s Kentucky Fried Chicken to help my mom with expenses. Somehow I managed to keep up my schooling (although I did fall asleep quite often in class).
The summer before my senior year I quit both of my jobs. I had to sell my wonderful car in order to buy my bus ticket to Seattle. I lived with my sister Kolean and her family; they were kind to allow me to live with them. Things at my home were very unsettling, as my father was not doing well. I needed to make some difficult decisions about a young man that I had fallen in love with. Living with Kolean that summer was just what I needed. I was able to see things more clearly. I found work for the summer but Kolean and her family had to relocate to Sunnyside, Washington and so I was not able to make much money. However, more important that making money I was able to finally make a complete break with the young man that I had been considering marrying. This was one of the most important decisions of my entire life. I sacrificed my car and also being able to sing in the high school choirs my senior year but I have never been sorry for my choices. My senior year was terrible because I had no money, no car, no boyfriend, and I was not in the choir groups that I dearly loved! However, I was able to put my life and priorities in order and that is quite an accomplishment for a teenager!
Upon graduation I needed transportation and again dear Uncle Gordon found me a 1956 Chevrolet that I was able to purchase. Both of the cars he sold me never required any type of mechanical work. Now I realize that he must have spent hours of his own time making sure that the cars were both in tip top condition. I now realize that he could have made money selling those cars to someone else! Instead he helped me have a safe car which enabled me to work and earn money to attend college. Because of his sacrifice of time and the gift of his skills and love I was able to reach my goal of receiving a better education. This has been so important to me; my car helped me to progress. Uncle Gordon made this possible and I love him so much for his priceless gifts to me.
Funeral Autobiography of Gordon F. Terry
Composed by brother, Clifford.
Added to and assembled by sister, LaVerna R. Myers
I would like Pauline and family to know how much I appreciate their confidence in me to occupy this time and I pray for the Lord’s blessing to be with me to inspire me in what I say, that it will be of value and comfort to them.
Gordon F. Terry was born on the 15th of February, 1921 at home in Enterprise, Utah to Franklin Amos and Ellen Anna Goodliffe Terry. He was their third child, preceded by two sisters. As time passed the family grew to ten, four boys and six girls.
Gordon spent his childhood days and growing up in Enterprise. He had a good family life, born of goodly parents as Nephi of old, and was taught the good things of life. When he was eight, he was baptized in the canal above town on the 30th of March 1929.
Because of the closeness of our age, Gordon and I have had a lot of good times together. We worked together on the farm and ranch. We were always at the same parties and took many weekend trips. Gordon took and active part in sports and for two years we were on the same basketball team. I recall the dances and we went to all of them together. There were home dances, and also dances at Parowan, Milford, Cedar, Veyo, Hurricane and Panaca, Nevada. These little towns were close to Enterprise. We always had a good time. It was at one of these dances that Gordon met Pauline Dodge, who later became his wife.
When Gordon was a teenager, he wanted a pair of skis. He earned enough money to buy the lumber and made some. After they were finished, he waxed and polished them. The first time he used them on the Back Ridge Hills above town, he had a misfortune. They were so slippery he couldn’t guide them and ended up straddling a cedar tree. This was the end of his skiing.
We both had ice skates and many times we enjoyed ice skating on the canal. Gordon and I always went to the Black Ridge Hills to get the Christmas tree each year when we were old enough to use the ax. We would spend lots of time looking for the special tree, cut it down, tie in on the sleigh and back we would go to give the family a thrill with our special tree.
Gordon loved music and decided he was going to learn how to play an instrument. After our work at home was completed he always found work elsewhere to earn money. He saved until he had enough to order a guitar and harmonica plus accessories he needed from a catalog. It wasn’t too long before he taught himself how to play and sing, and he became very good at it. With a holder he put around his head, he played the guitar and harmonica at the same time. He also learned to play the Hawaiian guitar.
We both learned to use a gun and always had a good time on the deer hunts and many times brought home our prey for winter food.
Another thing I remember is one of the teachers at high school made the comment before class I attended, that he had never heard Gordon say anything bad about anyone. He always gave a good compliment and this example stayed with me through my life. He set good examples for everyone. He always got along with others and was a peacemaker. He was a good student and graduated from Enterprise High School in May of 1939.
After courting Pauline for a short time, I remember how thrilled and excited he was when he told me, he and Pauline were going to be married! This took place on the 19th of July 1943 at Calinette, Nevada. He was later endowed on the 11th of February, 1944 at the St. George Temple. They wanted to be married before he went into the service. We, the Terry family, were happy to welcome Pauline to the family.
World War II was on and it wasn’t very long before he got his call and was inducted in the service. He trained at Pendleton, Oregon. It was here he almost lost his life from spinal meningitis. My dad was warned of this one night while sleeping, awakened my mother and they were on their way to Oregon within one and a half hours! When they got their, the crisis was over. They stayed there for a couple of days checking things out. When they were satisfied he would be alright, they returned home. While Gordon was in the service he trained to be a cook. He became a good cook and enjoyed it. He was sent to Italy. I was also called to Italy and lucky for us we weren’t very far apart. Every time we could, we spent time together and enjoyed each other a lot. It helped us both through difficult times.
When the war was over, Gordon and Pauline lived in Cedar City for a short time, then moved to Milford, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for a while. Later on he got employment as a mechanic with Bradshaw Auto Company. They moved back to Cedar City, Utah. This was where their first child, Kathleen Ann was born on the 21st of September, 1946. They enjoyed her a lot, but a streak of bad luck came along. Kathleen was stricken with Poliomyelitis. She was treated at Cedar Hospital, they told them to take her Salt Lake for better medical treatment. It was hard on them to leave her and return home. But every weekend they made the trip to Salt Lake to spend all the time they could with her. She was hospitalized for quite a while, but in time, she got well enough for them to care for her at home. This was a happy time for all of them.
Garland Gordon was born on the 27th of October 1947. A short time after this they purchased their first home in Cedar City. They were there for a while; then Gordon found better employment in Salt Lake with Capitol Chevrolet Company. They sold their home in Cedar and bought their second home on 220 Belmont Avenue. Their third child, Ronald F. was born on the 14th of June, 1952. Since Gordon worked for a automobile company, we saw them every year in a new Chevrolet. Paula came to their home on the 10th of December, 1956.
Gordon spent much of his time with his family and was very proud of them. He really enjoyed seeing them excel in activities at school and church. They all participated in a lot of different things. He always supported them in every possible way. He served as president of the little league when his boys played on those teams.
Church callings he held were: Sunday school superintendent for around five years. He served as counselor to the bishop for five years along with other callings. He was always very busy helping others.
Every spring and fall after he had spinal meningitis, it would affect his health and that gave him a bad time for a while. He kept working until he had a stroke and was forced to retire. He still didn’t give up and converted half of the garage into a shop where he worked and helped family, friends and neighbors with their cars.
Pauline, you and you family always came first with him. He was a good man and enjoyed life to its fullest even with his handicapped condition. I would go to your home to cheer him up and always leave feeling much better because of his attitude. He always cheered me, probably more than I did him! He has always been a special brother to me.
Gordon passed away at home, age 57, with a heart attack on Thursday the 25th of January in 1979 at 7:00 a.m. He is buried at a cemetery in Holladay, Utah (Mountain View Memorial Estates) on 27th of January 1979.
Every time I go through the experience of losing a loved one it makes me look forward to the time when I will meet the loved ones who are there preparing a place for us, to welcome us when we come. I like to look at it as a graduation exercise. Gordon has filled his mortal existence and done all that he could do while here. Now the Lord can say of him; “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into they day.”
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