Terry Potter

POTTER, STINOCHER, BRISKEY, THOMAS

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 6/18/2024 at 12:18:12

Terry Potter, 81, lifelong resident of Johnson County passed away May 11, 2024 at Ridgeview Assisted Living in Cedar Rapids.

Terry was born on January 27, 1943 in Iowa City, Iowa to Virgil and Geraldine “Boots” (Stinocher) Potter. He was raised in Iowa City, Solon and Tiffin, where he graduated high school before enlisting in the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he earned a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After being honorably discharged in 1968, he worked in construction for several years. During this time, Terry went on a blind date with Carol Briskey, who soon became the love of his life. The couple were married on May 11, 1973 and settled in North Liberty before moving to Coralville while raising their children Kelly and Chris.

After their marriage, Terry began working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. He worked his way up from being a janitor to eventually a lineman, finishing his career on the plow train. Terry loved his job and was good at what he did but more important to him were the wonderful lifelong friendships he formed who were more like brothers to him. His children can’t recall a time they weren’t at the family functions and family vacations and were considered family to their family. He later retired in 2000.

Terry was an avid outdoorsman and spent his free time fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and driving near and far to simply enjoy nature. He loved listening to old rock and roll, watching westerns with Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, and took on the hobby of making shotgun shells. Terry was always up for an adventure and would pile his family into the car to go to an outdoor function of some sort. He always attended Solon Beef Days along with other local functions. More than anything, there was nothing more important to him than his family, immediate and extended family. He was happiest when he was surrounded by family making memories, majority of those memories surrounded by his fun and goofy sense of humor.

No portrait of Dad would be complete without attempting to describe the magnitude of his self-sufficiency and willingness to help anyone and everyone. He lived to help others and that he did without hesitation paired with his constant need for jokes and sense of humor. A stranger to Terry was just a friend he hadn’t met yet and if that person needed anything, he never questioned if he could help.

After being diagnosed with Lung Cancer, the most challenging part of the cancer was not being able to be independent as he has lived his whole life. After his health was declining, the only reason he agreed to “try out” an assisted living facility was because his granddaughter talked him into where she worked, Ridgeview Assisted Living. Terry had only spent a few weeks there before his death.

Terry was full of life his whole life and will be missed for his laughter the love he gave freely.

He is survived by his wife Carol Potter of Cedar Rapids, son Chris Potter of Mechanicsville, IA, daughter Kelly (Brent) Thomas of Marion, IA, brothers David (Linda) Potter of Oxford, IA, and Keith (Barbara) Potter of Arlington, TX, grandchildren Aleah, Alexis, Brie, Kyle, Tina, Maddie, and Iain, and several nieces and nephews that he adored.

Terry was preceded in death by his infant brother Robert, parents and daughter in law Kim Potter.

To celebrate Terry’s life, a visitation will be Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, where a funeral service will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service at Oakland Cemetery in solon. Please join the family for a luncheon after burial at the Solon American Legion. Jeans and casual attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen