Terry Allen Tullis' Obituary
Terry Allen Tullis passed away September 30, 2023 in Sandy, Utah in the loving embrace of his wife, Nancy Davies Tullis, and his children. He was 80 years old. He suffered ongoing medical issues during the last 16 years of his life which escalated in the past 3 years.
Terry is survived by his wife Nancy, children Teresa Ann Tullis Sillitoe (Carl), Wendy Tullis Brown, Trisha René Saunders, Daniel Raymond Saunders (Jana), Allison Tullis Popp (Greg) and Timothy Lyman Saunders (Heidi), sister —Laraine Tullis Walker and brother—Floyd LaMond Tullis. Terry is preceded in death by siblings—Melba Fae Tullis Chapman, Roger Carl Tullis, and Amber Tullis Huber. He has 20 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Terry was born on March 30, 1943, in Vernal, Utah to Melba Henry Tullis and Wesley LaMond Tullis. There he grew up on a 53-acre farm on Brush Creek near Vernal. He had a passion for aviation and received his pilot's license at the age of 16! After graduation from Uintah High School in 1961 Terry joined the local battalion of the National Guard. He continued his education studying at Weber State College, Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. In 1962 his entire National Guard unit was shipped to Washington State to be integrated into the nation’s formal military. He was proud of this opportunity and had a deep love for the United States and the Constitution. Terry was on active duty for 3 ½ years. He was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Australia under the direction of Bruce R. McConkie. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, he always affirmed, one that influenced much of his subsequent life.
Terry married Irene Ann Christiansen in 1965 and had three daughters together. The couple divorced in 1989. During this time Terry served as a bishop in the LDS Church as well as worked to establish himself as an electrical contractor and entrepreneur.
In 1990, Terry married Nancy Davies. They have remained in Sandy, Utah ever since their marriage. This, the second marriages for both Terry and Nancy provided the greatest of years where they have been lovingly inseparable. Over the past thirty-three years the two have provided their posterity with lasting examples of charity, service and selflessness. Terry welcomed her children into his life and Nancy welcomed his – a “blended family” that has morphed into one eternal unit. For them, Terry is a true father figure in name and deed. They applaud his impact on their lives and each mourn his passing.
Terry was a passionate student of religion and spent thousands of hours studying gospel literature. He loved discussing gospel doctrine with anyone that had questions or interest in the subject. He was a skilled craftsman at anything that required the use of his hands. Terry was known as one to drop any of his own projects to offer his expertise to help others repair, finish, or remodel their homes, yards, cars or anything else. He knew how to fix anything and everything. People often mentioned how much they loved to see Terry’s work truck parked throughout the neighborhood and knew he was at the service of another neighbor in need. Terry loved to use his hands on everything from working on the necessities of life, to leisure and hobbies. He loved to build things.
Two personality traits set Terry fully apart from the common values of today: compassion and integrity, which became the core of who Terry was. His life has been full of genuine friends and grateful recipients of his empathy. He gives his mother credit for nurturing this part of him.
From his earliest days, “My word is my bond,” is a phrase he heard from his father from time to time and one that he truly lived by. Whether in personal, business, or religious matters, Terry sought what was fair and right over receiving personal gain. When differences arose, Terry always chose the side of giving rather than taking or indulging.
Terry faced his medical issues as “just another mountain to climb'' and taught the rest of us the virtue of working to keep a positive outlook on life. His contributions in the lives of others, his compassion and empathy stand as a legacy to all who knew him.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the medical professionals for the time they spent caring for Terry, particularly the VA Hospital staff.
There will be a viewing Saturday Oct 14 at 9:00 am followed by the funeral services at 11:00 am at the meetinghouse on 1850 E 8600 S Sandy, UT 84093.
The interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, UT 84106 directly following the funeral services.
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