Terry Jean-Marie Nelson

Terry Jean-Marie DeVore Nelson began her journey to the new horizon filled with light and love on Tuesday, January 7th 2020 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Campout in the summer, will be announced at a later date.
Terry was born March 30th 1951 to Ben and Dorothy DeVore in Susanville California. The Devore Family along with the family of Bennie Rodriguez relocated to Klamath Falls, Oregon in the 1950’s. She attended Pelican Elementary School, Fremont Jr High School and Klamath Union High School.
In the days leading up to her death, she was surrounded by family and friends. We gathered around Terry, playing her favorite music, telling stories and reading her favorite poetry by Robert Service.
It’s difficult to summarize the life of a woman like my mom. She was a very passionate woman. She didn't do anything in moderation. She put her heart and soul into everything she did. When she loved someone, she loved every part of them, the good, the bad and the ugly. Her greatest pride and joy was of her kids and grandkids and loved and protected each of them with every inch of her being. Terry acted as an adoptive mom to many friends of Tyler and I. While many were very important to her, the bond she developed with Chucky Elrdod lasted until her death. Friendship was a very important part of Terry’s life. She developed friendships in Pelican Elementary School that lasted until her last breath. She passed that value of friendship on to my brother and I. As my moms sisters by choice had children, we became friends and then as we grew up and had kids, our kids are friends. A friendship that grows over 3 generations is something to cherish.
Terry was very proud of her heritage and traced the genealogy of her family back hundreds of years.This passion was something she shared with her uncle Jim DeVore It’s clear by reading the names of her family how important her family name was. As Gary Poweless stated, “ Terry is the loyalist friend I ever had, When Terry was your friend, you don’t need any others”
Terry is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jerry Nelson, Daughter and son in law, Tae Nelson-Doyle and Braden Doyle. Grandchildren: Cody O'Neil, Jacquelyn O'Neill, Nicholas Benjamin Nelson, Megan Rose Nelson, Brendon Taeler-Jean Nelson, Benjamin Timothy-DeVore Nelson and Caitlyn Doyle. Great Grandchildren, Jade and Jordyn Oneil. Brother and sister in law, Ted and Karen DeVore, brother Tom (Pete)DeVore. Brother in law Gil Nelson and Joel and Mary Nelson. Nieces and nephews: Brandy DeVore Haddock, Matt DeVore, Julie Harris-Nelson, Kelly Nelson-Shadley and Max Nelson. Terry is also survived by lifelong friends and sisters by choice: Lenora Mueller, Jackie Hayden, Karla Thomas and Vicki Chappell as well as their children: Brian Mueller, Stephanie (Mo)Garner, Brandy and Heath Wilcox, Allen Hayden, Dion Thomas and Erika Heaton.Special friends: Gary Poweless, Kim Nork, Dick and Harriet Gummus, Jack and Sharon Jacobs, John Sr and Sharon Miles, John Jr and Teresa Miles, Filo and Patty Rodrigez, Ester Jackson Muno, Patty Miles-Denney and Chucky Elrod.
Terry was preceded in death by her infant son, Ira Hayes Hunt, Father and mother Ben and Dorothy DeVore, Brother, Tim DeVore,Uncle and aunt Jim and Donalda DeVore. Mother and father in law Fred and Florence Nelson and her son and best friend Tyler DeVore Nelson.
Life is like a cage; we beat the bars,
We bruise our breasts, we struggle vainly;
Up to the glory of the stars
We strain with flutterings ungainly.
And then-- God opens wide the door;
Our wondrous wings are arched for flying;
We poise, we part, we sing, we soar
Light, freedom, love…….. Fools call it --Dying
By Robert Service