Terry Permenter passed away Nov. 21, 2013. He lived fully engaged in life and leaves his family and countless friends grateful to have had him in their lives.

Terry was born in Coupeville in August 1958, to Madeline Hilton and Billy John Permenter. Throughout his life he was proud to be a fourth generation Whidbey Islander and lived on the family property until his death.

Growing up he enjoyed creative adventures with close friends and his brothers Thom and Tim Permenter, adventures that gave everyone a glimpse of the energy, intelligence, inquisitiveness, spirit and humor of this unique man. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a commitment that he took to heart.

Terry met his wife, Rhonda Zirkle, while they were both students at Western Washington University. They married in 1983 and built a life together that has been rich in family, friends, community service, and adventure. Together they enjoyed travel, learning and giving.

Terry served as a Scout Master for many years, volunteered as the superintendent of the Photography Department of the Island County Fair, was a ham radio operator, and created memorable art using recycled materials and rusty metal.

Terry was always on the hunt for the next great artistic find, from photographing the petroglyphs of the Southwestern United States to every garage sale he ever passed.

Terry had a long and successful career working for Washington Federal. He began in 1982 as a computer programmer and was Senior Vice President and Software Architect at the time of his death.

Roy Whitehead, Chairman, President and CEO of Washington Federal described Terry as the walking embodiment of the traditions of the company. Mr. Whitehead called Terry a sort of country philosopher that many in the company learned from with his interesting blend of lofty ideals and his logical, common sense way of analyzing circumstances.

Terry believed that people win individually only if the organization succeeds. He believed that the root structure for the growth needed to ensure our future prosperity lay in the elegance of simplicity and the nobility of self-sufficiency, both of which he modeled every day.

He believed in substance as a measure of one’s worth, with form just a mask worn by those unwilling to roll up their sleeves and do real work.

Mr. Whitehead said he often thought of Terry as being born out of his time because he seemed to echo that prior generation of selfless tinkerers who taught themselves how to do all the things needed to get by.

Terry is survived by wife Rhonda of the family home; his brothers and their wives, Thom Permenter and Dione Murray, and Tim and Ellen Permenter; Rhonda’s family members Marlene and Brian Orlick, and Karen and Craig Funston; nieces and nephews Jesse and Belinda Permenter, Jamie Permenter and Jacob Boyer, Robert Orlick, Elise Orlick, Abe Murray, Kjel Funston and Alicia Troha, Peter Funston, and Roxanne Borders; great-nephews Duncan and Xander Permenter; and Terry’s beloved cat companions Sumo and Roswell.

Terry is also survived by close friends from all walks of life who will miss him and always remember the ways in which he touched their lives.

A memorial for Terry will be held Dec. 14, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. at the Deer Lagoon Grange Hall in Langley, Washington.

Memorials in Terry’s name may be made to cancer research, the Boy Scouts of America, or to the Island County Fair Association.