Uncle Terry

 Terry Ray Beckstead

3.10.52 - 6.22.25

Terry Ray Beckstead was born on March 10, 1952, in Rigby, Idaho, and passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family at his daughter’s home. Family was so important to Terry, both his immediate family and his large extended family.

As a young boy, Terry lived in many places before his family finally settled in Idaho Falls, where he proudly considered himself an Idaho boy. He graduated from Bonneville High School in 1970, where he played football, wrestled, and enjoyed his fair share of good-natured trouble with friends who would last him a lifetime. Friends were special to Terry, and he always made it a priority to stay in touch.

From the age of 11, Terry spent much of his youth living on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Osgood, Idaho whom he considered his second family. There, he made many lasting memories working hard alongside his cousin Stan, whom he thought of as a brother.

Terry was the oldest of six siblings, including two sisters and three brothers. He shared many good times with his siblings throughout his life, and there was always plenty of laughter at any family get-together.

Following his freshman year at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, he served a two-year LDS mission to Arizona.

After returning home from his mission, he began dating Paulette, whom he met in high school. They were married on August 1, 1975 in the Idaho Falls Temple. The couple made their home in Salt Lake City, where Terry attended the University of Utah and earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1980.

Together they raised three daughters: Alyce, Aimee, and April. Being a very present father was his greatest delight, sometimes to the embarrassment of his girls. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he cherished every moment he spent with them. They were always a top priority.

Terry’s career in sales began with Stanley Tools and then Makita Power Tools, where his humor and personality earned him the nickname “Toolman Terry”. Wherever work took him, he often brought his daughters along and made time to visit family. Later, he started a fire sprinkler company and loved being his own boss.

Terry and Paulette spent nearly 50 years living in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City. He had a passion for mountain biking, fishing, golfing, raising a garden full of giant sunflowers and tinkering with cars and projects around the house. He loved telling jokes, often repeating the same ones just to make someone laugh. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he held many callings and especially enjoyed working with the youth. His testimony of Jesus Christ was deeply important to him.

He is survived by his wife, Paulette; his daughters, Alyce (John) Binns, Aimee Morgan, and April (Don) DeLaMare; his grandchildren, Josh, Rex, Natalie, Megan, Jake, Ali, and Hadley; and his siblings, Bretta Weatherholtz, Harold Beckstead, Shane Beckstead, and Orin Beckstead.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Raola Myler; his second parents, Irvin and Melba Landon; and his sister, Renae Lane.

The family offers special thanks to Don and April for opening their home during Terry’s final months. Terry had a wonderful hospice nurse, Sophie, whom he looked forward to seeing. These special people provided so much care and support in his final year as his health declined. They were truly angels on earth. The family would also like to extend a deeply heartfelt thank you to his beloved wife, Paulette. Her constant love and gentle care are what kept him with us all these years. He held on because she was there.

An informal Celebration of Life will be held at the LDS Church house at 1930 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., with a short program beginning at 7:00 p.m.

My fondest memories & thoughts about Uncle Terry:

-He was FUN! All the times when we were kids when he would be in town selling power tools and how he'd take us in the van to get treats, let us man the steering wheel of the van, or load us all up and go spin cookies in an icy, snowy parking lot. I truly can't believe the van never tipped over. We laughed until our bellies hurt. 

-His jokes and how he'd keep track of them on a little piece of paper in his wallet so he could always remember and refer to them. I especially loved the inappropriate ones.

-As I got older, long conversations with him about the complexities of life, the world around us, religion, trivia, and MUSIC! 

-Anything and everything could turn into a song. I can't tell you how many times he would start singing, "Hey Hey Paula......". Then after I had Lola, "L-O-L-A, Lola...." or "Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl....." 

-Uncle Terry held a special place in my heart because he was the kind of Dad I always wished I could have. His girls were so lucky to have him. 

I love and miss you.