Happy Father’s Day Terence!

Terence & Sherry, sittin’ in a tree…

This Father’s Day, I want to wish a special Happy Father’s Day to my friend and ohana member, Terence Luttrell.

Terence is married to Sherry Parker Luttrell, who is the sister of my business partner in a couple of ventures.  Sherry is beautiful, and full of life, but this is about Terence…So…

Terence is a deeply religious man who has been a pastor of several small (and larger) congregations over the past couple of decades, both in the Seattle area and in Kemmerer, Wyoming.  He is father to three great kids (now adults), Nadine, Eric and Andrew and grandfather to Nadine’s children, Bella, Annie and Ethan.

In Wyoming Terence’s “day job” involved recreation management, and it was perfectly suited to his man’s man approach to hunting and fishing.   He carried those “hobbies” with him to Seattle, where the family moved several years ago, instantly making new friends and sharing his life with them, as well as his own family.

In 2009 Terence was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer — or so the doctors said.  Terence began the fight of his life.  Since then, he has endured as many different therapies as you can think of, from “traditional” chemotherapy and radiation to special drug trials.  He beats the cancer back, and then it comes back to haunt him once again.  Still, eight months turned into going-on-four-years isn’t a bad record.

You wouldn’t want to bet against Terence.  Through all of the craziness and cruelty of cancer, Terence has maintained his steadfast belief in his values and God, and he has continued to work as a pastor, helping others address problems real and imaginary.

Together, this already close family has made a tight knit group around Terence, periodically bringing in reinforcements from sisters Brook, Charla and Yvette.  Especially Charla — who lives not too faraway near Bellingham, and she brings incredible baked goods and dinners, along with her Master Gardener’s knowledge so Sherry and Terence can keep their beautiful garden lively and green.

Very recently, the doctors recommended hospice care for Terence at home.  Nonetheless, he spends his time playing with his granddaughter Annie, hanging out on the deck and enjoying the garden, and even planning a trip to Hawai`i this summer.

To a great Father and Grandfather, a wonderful friend and a fighter like no one else:  Happy Father’s Day Terence!

Everybody is praying for you.