Terence Champoux

Terry Champoux - beloved husband, brother, uncle, father and friend - departed early on Winter Solstice 2015 with his brother Dan at his side. Born Nov. 18, 1946, in Yakima to Zanon and Delores (LaBissoniere) Champoux, he grew up on the family hop farm in Moxee. Terry was an energetic and imaginative child who talked with everyone, trailed his father among the vines, and imagined himself a cowboy. Terry never tolerated injustice. Even as a boy, he defended anyone he felt was wronged. When grandchildren of his family’s housekeeper were called a racial epithet by older kids, Terry challenged the name-callers to fight. None took him on. The day after graduation from Marquette High School in 1965, Terry intended to enlist in the Navy. That recruiter was out, but the Air Force guy was in. Following a brief tour at Hickam AF Base in Honolulu, he was handpicked to become personal aide to General William McBride of Task Force Alpha in Thailand, where he served three years at the height of the Vietnam Conflict. When Gen. Mac retired, Terry entered recruiting. He retired in 1986 as a Senior Master Sergeant after 21 years. Terry tried insurance as a next career, but it wasn’t a good fit. He joined Yakima County Juvenile Services as a detention officer then became a probation counselor. He never gave up on his charges, working to keep them in school and hoping they’d find success. He retired in 2013. His antidote for work challenges was his alter ego Dapper the Clown. Dapper loved making Froot Loop necklaces at children’s festivals and riding his trike in parades. As Dr. Dapper, he made rounds in rehab units and nursing homes. Terry’s other creative outlet was photography, most especially nature and landscapes. He was a true romantic, trying marriage three times before meeting his LOML (Love of My Life). He and Wendy wed in 1994 and built a network of friends who shared their love of art, conversation, road trips, books, and music. Terry quit smoking in 1994 and was a dedicated walker. As recently as September his FitBit recorded enough steps to cross the Sahara. In early 2011 he underwent 8-1/2 weeks of radiation for prostate cancer. He had three cancer-free years before he was diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer in March 2014. Though he initially responded well, cancer’s ability to evolve eventually overcame treatment. Terry never lost optimism or determination. The week before he died, he asked his doctor to research other options. Terry’s strongest attributes were his positive attitude, generosity, loyalty, and penchant to do things now. His calling card was his smile. He agreed with the Dalai Lama who said, “My religion is kindness.” He is survived by his wife Wendy Warren; siblings Rod (Patsy) Champoux, Vicky Goodman, Debbie (Fred) Brooking, Candy Johansing, Dan (Patti) Champoux, Pam (Jim) Gregory, and Mary Champoux; daughters Nicole Champoux-Noonan and Sara Dawn Champoux; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends around the world. Terry’s life celebration will be March 20, 2016, at The Seasons in Yakima, details to be published later. More about Terry is on Wendy’s blog https://wlwarren.wordpress.com We’re deeply grateful to everyone who works and volunteers at North Star Lodge. They became our extended family and are heroic in caring for patients and their families. Ditto our amazing Circle of Support who kept us afloat. To honor Terry’s memory, you may donate to North Star Lodge or Cottage in the Meadow (Yakima), Nuestra Casa (Sunnyside), or Stand Up 2 Cancer. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Terence Champoux, please visit our flower store.