Thomas John Terrien's Obituary
Tom Terrien
Thomas John Terrien, a lifelong resident of Pierce County, died Sunday, April 5. He was 92. Betty, his wife of 56 years, died in 1995. Tom is survived by a brother, Ed (Arlene), a daughter Joyce (Ellis) Morehead, a son John Terrien (Lera Hanson), an aunt, Christine Scott, and many nieces, nephews, friends and compatriots. Tom was born on January 18, 1917 in Lake City, one of four children of Antoinette and Edward Terrien. He attended Lake City School and Lincoln High School before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to help support his family. Along the way, he learned to play the harmonica, which became a lifelong passion. Tom married Betty Culbert in 1939, and shortly thereafter went to work for Tacoma Transit where he spent 40 years in a variety of roles. In the 1950s, Tom and Betty both volunteered to work in PTA and made friends with several other parents; those friendships continued throughout their lives. During the 1960s and early 70s, Tom attended TCC part time and earned an Associate Degree. During that period, Tom was promoted into operational management positions. He hired the first Black bus drivers at Transit and the first women bus drivers since WWII. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Tom was Superintendent of Transportation. He became active in the Transit Retirees Group, chairing the group for 15 years and participating in it until his death. In retirement, Tom and Betty explored the northwest in their travel trailer and explored North America by attending 11 Elderhostels and flying to many destinations on their own. Tom's other retirement activities included active membership in the Lions' Club, Toastmasters, the Tacoma Historical Society, and the Washington State Old Time Fiddlers group. He also volunteered as a math and reading tutor at Downing Elementary School. Tom was also active in Mason United Methodist Church, where he and Betty had been married, and where they had both taught Sunday school in the 1950s. At age 88, Tom moved out of the family house in north Tacoma and into the Weatherly Inn assisted living center. He spent his last four years enjoying the people and activities at the Weatherly. Tom's family would like to thank the staff of the Weatherly Inn for their care and kindness, Tom's personal caregivers for their empathy and devotion, and Tom's physicians, Dr. John Atkinson and Dr. John Vaccaro, for their skill and compassion. When Tom was at Transit, he had a sign outside his office for all the drivers to see when they came to check in for their routes. It said, "We will treat our customers as ladies and gentlemen -- not because they always are, but because we always are." Those who knew Tom knew that those words described how he chose to live his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's name to any Pierce County organization or facility that provides services to children or the elderly, e.g., your local elementary school's music program, or any of the City's Senior Centers. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in the Mountain View Valley Chapel. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 253-584-0252. Please sign online guest book at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomas?
Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
How did Thomas make you smile?