Terry Moffett

Terry L. Moffett, 72, passed away peacefully and quietly on February 3, 2017, with his wife of 49 years still by his side.

Born January 25, 1945, in Napa, California Terry was adopted at 10 months old to Ward and Hilda Moffett of Buhl, Idaho. He was raised in Buhl on a family farm but developed a desire to travel and see more of the world. He joined the navy to travel but was discharged early due to a bad ankle and settled down for a time with his first wife and having two children. They later divorced.

Not long after while living in Denver, Colorado, Terry found what he thought was exciting work as an ambulance driver as he loved to drive fast. One day on his lunch break at the White Spot Cafe he met a pretty waitress named Faye Williams,and declared "I am gonna marry that girl!" on his way out. On March 10, 1968 he did just that and he and Faye had a whirlwind romance that continued for the next 49 years. We are pretty sure he forgot her name because he has never called her anything other than "My Honey".

Terry and Faye started off their life in the deep south returning to Mississippi to meet and become part of the extended Williams clan. After being raised as an only child finding himself part of a large Southern family was quite the shock, but he loved the whole crew and they loved  him just as much with his corny jokes and deep laugh. Terry and Faye had three girls by 1971 and he found himself surrounded with women for the rest of his life, and loved it.

His love of funeral service and lifelong dedication to family brought him to his career. While attending a family friend's funeral at a young age Terry found himself impressed by the service and care he saw by the professionals and was moved deeper by the evident technical skill that was required and he knew that was what he wanted to do. Eager to get started and learn his craft he found work as an apprentice at area funeral homes, sometimes even for free, just to gain training and knowledge . In 1979, he and his honey then made the trip to Atlanta, Georgia for mortuary college and to complete his licensing requirements. Terry graduated from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in the top 5 of his class and enjoyed every minute of learning and never took it for granted.

Terry loved his family, but he was passionate about funeral service. Funeral service is not a job, it is a calling that becomes your lifestyle. It is service. Service to families that need you more than your own. Terry was devoted to that service. He cared about every detail from everything a family could hear and see to everything they couldn't.  He took great pride in his work and protecting the trust he was given. After years of service as a licensed funeral director, Terry was able to purchase a funeral home in his hometown of Buhl, Idaho.  He and Faye operated Moffett's Memorial Chapel on Highway 30 for over ten years. He was eager to share his knowledge and skills with colleagues and incoming morticians. He made them as passionate as he was. He was especially proud when one of  his daughters chose to follow his professional footsteps and became a licensed mortician as well. He and Amie shared many years working together and he was so happy when she and her husband  purchased their own funeral home in Jerome, Idaho this past year.

He gave almost all of himself to funeral service, but always seemed to have enough for  his family. He may have missed some family dinners, or a few birthday parties, and almost a birth itself, but  he was always there for the important things; the daddy things. His favorite times were spent with his girls at a park, swimming, picnicking with a bucket of chicken, playing hide and seek in the house, simple things that made us laugh, coloring book contests, and anything that we could just do together. He was the Dad that all the other kids in the neighborhood wanted to play with; and our house (his house) was always where all the kids hung out for weekend football games, a rousing bout of "red rover" and of course "Duck, Duck, Goose". He took each of his girls to the store separately buying them a candy and telling them not to tell the others about their candy while leaving the wrappers in the back seat to be found. He taught each one to ride a bike, roller skate, then to drive. He bought them their first radio and made them learn and sing along to his favorite 50's songs.

That family time was important to him always; extending to when his daughters started their own families. He filmed at least three of his grandchildren's births, as he was not gonna miss anything this time. His grandchildren adore their grumpy old grandpa. He liked to think he had them all fooled with his grouchy tone, but they (as everyone) knew what a soft heart he had and could always make him smile. He was very proud of every one of them and they could not love him more. He has held them all in his arms and now he will be held in their hearts forever. Terry and Faye, just by the way they lived and treated each other, instilled in their children and grandchildren a sense of worth, a validation of voice, a model of love and marriage, and a knowing that they are loved and valued. Their home was always your home no matter what. Wherever they were (they moved us around a lot) was home.

Terry never met a stranger. He loved to talk to folks, find out about you, and tell you way too much about himself; and us. He had a very smooth, deep voice that always conveyed his emotion and sincerity; from warm and inviting, loving and reassuring, to, when necessary, stern and distinct. He was our Jeopardy champion, and our personal Hero.

Terry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Faye W. Moffett of Boise, ID; his son, Timothy L. Moffett of CA; his daughters, Anita E. (Brandon Kalbfleisch) Moffett of Seattle, WA; Amie L. (Paul) Swenson, of Jerome, ID; and Andrea (John) Kinney of Boise, ID;  his son-in-law, Kenneth Moon of Buhl, ID; his grandchildren, Shane Moon, Anthony Oglesby, Amber (Troy) Bernard, Amanda (Kayne Mayer) Kittell, Adam Kittell, and Brody Kinney; and his pretty, little great granddaughter, Jetta Carrico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Alisa Moon.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 25, 2017 at The Owyhee, 1109 W Main St, Boise, Idaho 83702.

Memories and condolences  may be shared with the family on Terry's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com