Terry Lee Gassaway

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Terrance (Terry) Lee Gassaway was born in Toledo, Oregon on September 3rd, 1937 to parents Benjamin Franklin Gassaway and Nellsia Augusta Brown Gassaway. He was the 3rd of five boys. He grew up on the Oregon City Golf Course his family ran until he was 12. At a young age he helped take care of the greens and gather golf balls with his beloved dogs. This instilled a great love for golf and also for airplanes that he would watch fly into the golf course as a young boy. He also had fond memories of visiting Catalina Island during World War II while his father was in the Merchant Marines. He lived in Clackamas County, Oregon from age three on where he attended local schools which included Henrici Elementary, Milwaukie Jr. High, and Milwaukie Union High School where he graduated in 1955. In high school, he played football (all county-all star), ran track (all state), and was in a singing quartet. He also loved to ski with his friends on the weekend.

He then attended Brigham Young University (as a non-member) and was a member of the Air Force ROTC, the Mountain Rescue (where he saved many lives), and the Alpine Ski Club. He worked on the slopes of Mt. Timpanogos at Timp Haven (later renamed Sundance). During this time, he went on his first solo flight, and got his pilot’s license. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1959 from BYU. He was then commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, served three years on active duty and three years inactive status obtaining the rank of Captain. Active duty was spent in Texas, and Maine.

In 1960, while in the Air Force, he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He stated that this greatly changed the course of his life. He then desired to serve a mission. From 1963-1965 he served an LDS mission in England living in London, Sittingborne, Herne Bay, Hastings, and Margate. He called this time humbling and challenging, but he lived with the English people “whom he learned to love very much.”

Terry received his Masters degree in Psychology from Portland State University which led to teaching, and then to a career in corrections where he worked as a counselor and retired after 31 years as the Director of Corrections for Clackamas County in Oregon. During this time he helped develop several innovative programs implemented on a national level (including the electronic anklet and bracelet). He traveled and consulted at conferences and routinely taught at the Air Force Academy.

In April 1965, two days after getting home from his mission, he met Linda Rae Hansen at a dance and it was love at first sight. On December 17th,1965 he married his sweetheart, Linda, in the Oakland California LDS Temple. They made their home in Milwaukie, Oregon and raised 5 children, and 2 foster children. Their home was a warm and inviting place for family and friends to gather and have fun. From pool parties to family reunions to hosting youth groups; all were welcome! Raising his family with his sweet wife was his proudest accomplishment.

Terry was devoted to his family and his religion. He served as an LDS Bishop and as a Stake President in the Milwaukie Oregon Stake. Terry and Linda also served a mission in Brussels, Belgium. Terry had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and of Heavenly Father’s plan. He loved to serve others and encouraged his children and grandchildren to do the same by bringing them along on projects, befriending others and helping those in need. He found this to be a happy and fulfilling way of life. The Gassaways relocated to Hyde Park, UT after retirement in 2000 where Terry enjoyed the mountains and the Utah sunsets. He continued to make new friends and enjoyed visiting with family, splitting time between Saratoga Springs and Cache Valley.

Terry was an avid sports fan. He had season tickets for BYU football and other teams on the campus. He also loved to golf, ski, play tennis, play racquetball, and was active all of his life.

Terry also loved to sing and started performing at a very young age with his brothers and in school. He performed with the New Oregon Singers, a professional group, for over 20 years. Through this group, he and his wife, Linda, were able to travel all over the world, and he even performed with Bob Hope.

Two quotes from Terry: “I enjoy life and the challenge of it. I hope to be ever learning and growing, finding new experiences that expand the horizon of my life!” And “Keep on smiling!” Which his family heard often.

Terry is survived by his wife Linda, his two brothers: Ron (Ann) and Jim (Jackie) and his children: Terry Jr. (Natalie), Brett (Elena), Jason (Stephanie), Jill White (Bernt), Hollie Bethers, and Rosie Short (Terry).

Grandchildren: Hannah, Sophie, Emily, Khiyara, Kaeden, Avienna, Mariella, Tavin, Lyrissa, McKenna, Mariah, Sadie, Carter, Kate, Tessa, Garren, Talli, Caitlynn, Jonah, Mya, Joshua, and Micah.

Great grandchildren: Winslow, Leo, and Chanler.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, his two older brothers, Benjamin (Ben) and Richard (Dick), his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marie and Ralph Hansen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Patti Hansen, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen Hansen Cantwell and Lee Cantwell, and sister-in-law, Drinda Daily Hansen (Ralph).

Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 10 am located in Smithfield, UT. Burial to follow at Smithfield Cemetery.