Terrance L Larson
October 9, 1944 – September 21, 2017
Born in Evanston, Illinois at St. Francis Hospital to parents Vernon and Maxine Larson.
Grew up in Glenview, Illinois, graduated from Glenbrook HS.
He was very proud of the 4 years he spent in the Army, primarily based at Ft. Hood Texas, as a Sargent Tank Commander.
Attended Washburn Trade School in Chicago where he started learning the construction industry to work with his Father and Brother. Later in life he attended Lake County College for Drafting and other construction related courses to further his career.
He first met Cathy in 1971 at Illinois Bell, where he was a lineman and she worked in the Dispatch Office. She was only 18 years old…he 26. Though she had a huge crush on him (crush at first sight), she knew the difference in their ages at that time was going to be an issue. Cathy soon left to go to the University of Arizona and in the meantime Terry left Illinois Bell to work in the construction industry.
Several years later Cathy returned to Illinois, went back to Illinois Bell, and they reconnected. They dated off and on, until she was transferred to Mountain Bell in Phoenix. She spent 2 years in Phoenix, going back to Illinois to visit him as often as possible, until one day when she decided she needed to go back to be with Terry. She was transferred back to AT&T in Chicago in January of 1982 and they were married that June.
In February of 1984 their first daughter, Jennifer Helen came into this world, and in July of 1986 Christine Fairchild was born. Terry was a family man through and through. Cathy and the girls were always his first priority. Over the years Terry worked as a Superintendent for Power Contracting and Engineering, building hotels and Cathy continued to work for AT&T. In 1994 they realized that Cathy’s aging parents in Arizona needed some help, and since the majority of Terry’s family was residing in California they relocated to Gilbert, Arizona.
Terry immediately landed on his feet in the construction world in Phoenix, initially getting a job as a Superintendent with Mardian Construction, and then a few years later moving over to Target General, now CORE Construction. There he primarily was building schools in both Tucson and Phoenix. He loved what he did, and soon Cathy was working for the Gilbert School District, so he always said, “I build them, you schedule them”!
Terry retired in September of 2014, and unfortunately his health began to decline around the same time. He was so strong. Never complained even though many times he was in a lot of pain. He always still wanted to be involved with the girls in their lives and see his grandchildren as much as possible. He still loved to travel with their sidekicks Kurt and Anna, and he never wanted to give up on their annual trips to Vegas in February. This year was the last Vegas trip for him, but by far the most meaningful, as all of his special “peeps” were there….Cathy, Kurt, Anna, Jenny, Torrey, Christine and Phil, had one of the best trips being together with him. They all have special memories to hold on to.
Terry passed away way too young, but is out of pain now and reacquainting himself with his Mother, whom he lost at 4 years of age, and other family and friends that have left us. Cathy is grateful for the 35 years they were married, and for what a devoted husband, father and grandfather he was.
Terry was: Husband to Cathy. Father to Jennifer Helen (Torrey) and Christine Fairchild (Tyler). Grandfather to Hudson, Eliot, Tate and Everett. Brother to Bob and Carl and the late Richard and Ralph. “UNC” to Debbie, Kurt, Cheryl, Pam, Scott, Robin, Erik, Kirk, Fred, Paul and Becky.
I had the opportunity (as Architect of Record) to work with Terry when he was the job superintendent for CORE const at CAVIT. For 5 phases. He was great to work with and always had a smile on his face and NEVER EVER was a confrontational superintendent. He was there to do a good job and make sure the school was ready for the district on time and in budget. He was my supt of choice and I would not approve of another supt on the job site. I will miss him and his contagious smile. And he loved CAVIT.