Terrance James Dobson, 80

Terrance James Dobson, husband, father, brother and friend, passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous and gritty fight with leukemia, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. He was 80.

Born Aug. 16, 1940, in Odessa, Wash., to Leon and Dorothy Dobson, Terry lived his early years farming and raising cattle on the family ranch, located on E. Dobson Road in Odessa, along the banks of Crab Creek. After some time in Reardon and Othello, he eventually ended up in Spokane to finish high school at West Valley High.

In 1958, he enrolled in Washington State University, where he graduated with a 5-year accounting degree and was fortunate enough to meet the love of his life, Judy Blaesi. The two were married in Federal Way, Wash., on June 12, 1965.

He then went on to complete four years of duty in the U.S. Air Force, where he attended Accounting and Officer School at Hunter A.F.B. in Savannah, Ga. Terry’s final assignment was as Wing Comptroller for the Presidential Wing in Washington, D.C., at Andrews A.F.B.

After completing his commitment in August of 1968, he decided to leave the Air Force and return for his MBA at Michigan State University. He then began his career in finance and banking at First Bank of Minneapolis. Banking, fortunately, brought him back to the Pacific Northwest in 1978 with Old National Bank, where his career and legacy as a hard-working, no-nonsense executive grew. His 25 years in banking took him from Spokane to Portland and, finally, to Boise.

In his retirement years he enjoyed giving back to the community by building homes with Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse. He also enjoyed fly-fishing with his sons and grandsons, golf, bocci, and of course, rooting for the Cougs. Loving construction, he decided to act as the general contractor in the complete rehab of their La Quinta home and also on the rebuild of their Hayden Lake home, which the family enjoyed for almost 50 years.

Terry will be remembered for his devotion and love for his wife, friends and family. He was always at the ready to help a friend or a neighbor in need. He was a good man - a salt of the earth, country music-loving, farm-raised, stubborn perfectionist, who will be profoundly missed.

Terry is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Judy; sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Kim Dobson of Carlsbad Calif., and Tad and Natalie Dobson of Issaquah, Wash.; grandchildren, Tommy, Emily, Davis and Bobby; and his sweet sister, Claudia Warwick. In addition to his parents, Leon and Dorothy, he was preceded in death by brother, Dennis.

Due to current restrictions around COVID-19, a memorial will not be held at this time.

Those who so desire to honor Terry’s memory may make memorial donations to the Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley or Hospice of North Idaho. Please specify “In Memory of Terry Dobson.”