Terry Karl LaLonde

Terry was always full of energy and ready to make his friends and family smile. They were the people who offered him continued support and encouragement, even as he faced the most difficult moments of his life.

The 1960's marked a period of radical change. As the baby-boom generation invaded college campuses across the United States, the election of President John F. Kennedy marked a new political era. Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. also made headline news as American culture continued to evolve. It was near the end of this spirited decade that Terry L. Lalonde his wife Catherine welcomed their third and final child, Terry Karl LaLonde. He arrived May 25, 1968 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Terry and his sisters, Sherry and Christine, began their schooling at Sibley Elementary School. Terry didn’t mind school at this age. He liked just about everything, which helped him adapt whenever things changed. After Terry’s parents divorce, his family moved around quite often. After kindergarten Terry transferred to St. Mary’s Elementary School, where he received the sacrament of Baptism and his first Holy Communion. By the fourth grade, Terry’s family had relocated to Dorr. He made many friends at his new school, St. Therese Elementary, and these friends continued on to Wayland Union High with him.

As a young man, Terry loved the water. He and his sisters went to their uncle’s home on Cobb Lake very often. One time, while Terry’s mom was talking to his uncle, Terry decided to take a walk out on the dock. Though he was fully clothed, he felt the urge to jump into the lake . . .so he did. This wasn’t the only time Terry made his love of the water clear to everyone. He swam for the Grand Rapids Gators for two years, perfecting his swim stroke under the leadership of Tom Radimaker. When he wasn’t in the water, Terry spent his time pursuing other sports. He played several positions in Little League Baseball, played Rocket football and also liked to go hunting and fishing, especially with his uncle Van. They liked to “bunny hunt” and devised a great scheme for attacking their prey. Terry would jump into the brush piles where the rabbits were hiding and Uncle Van would fire at them as they tried to find a better place to hide. Terry hunted deer too. But whether or not he caught anything, he enjoyed the time he spent communing with nature. The woods were a very spiritual, peaceful place for Terry. Though he was not a member of any organized religion, Terry had always felt very “God-oriented” and spiritual. He often felt a strong connection to Native American beliefs as well.

Every summer, Terry looked forward to the cross-country trips he would take with his family. They rented a motor home and drove it everywhere, visiting places like Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Canada. They also made sure to visit his grandfather who lived in East Jordan. On the road (or anywhere really), Terry loved to eat spicy foods. He jumped at any chance to stop at a restaurant that served foods stuffed full of jalapeño peppers and draped in hot sauce. The hotter, the better. Terry also loved stir-fry and he was a pretty good cook on the grill. To satisfy his sweet tooth, chocolate and peanut butter were always first on Terry’s list.

Over the years, Terry developed a taste for an eclectic mix of music. Bob Segar, Lynard Skynard, AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen were his favorite classic rock artists, but he listened to country and classical music from time to time as well. Sometimes Terry listened to music when he worked to maintain his mother’s garden, which he loved to do. “Don’t worry about the yard,” he’d always tell her, “Just leave it to me.” Terry planted flowers, cut the grass, and tended to all the landscaping, creating a beautiful garden for his mother to enjoy.

As for more mainstream work, Terry found it hard to stay at one job for any length of time. At the age of 18, Terry had enlisted in the Army and shortly after, he had gotten married. Terry remained in the Army for just over two years and his marriage lasted for seven years. Terry’s family supported him as best they could throughout his struggles, always wanting to see him as the kind-hearted man they loved. Terry worked for Ben Ames doing contract work for a short time, then moved on to positions at Leon Plastics, General Motors, and Motmans. Though he had difficulty finding positive direction for his life, Terry continued to find peace in nature, and also in art. He went to a variety of ceramic studios with his Aunt Rosemary, where he could paint and fire works of art that communicated some of his innermost thoughts.

On New Years Eve of 1998, Terry was involved in a car accident that broke his back. He spent several months in a body cast. Throughout this time, Terry relied on the support, love, and encouragement of his family, as well as the many friends he had made throughout his life.

Terry made an unforgettable impression on everyone he met. Those who knew Terry recognized the difficulties he faced, but at the same time, they couldn’t help but see the kindness and humor he brought into their lives. Friends and family will always remember Terry and the countless memories they created with him. Terry Karl LaLonde died very unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 4, 2005. Members of Terry’s family include: his mother, Catherine “Cat” LaLonde of Grand Rapids; his father Terry L. (Donna) LaLonde of Indiana; his sisters, Sherry Snyder of Martin, MI, Christine Ward of Hesperia, MI; his aunt and uncle, Rosemary and LeRoy VanderBand of Wayland; his nieces and nephews, Cory, Elizabeth, Christopher, Thomas, Ashley and Hunter and many friends.

A funeral to celebrate the life of Terry will be held at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home® (2120 Lake Michigan NW) on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rosedale Cemetery. Friends and relatives may meet his family at the funeral home on Friday from 12 noon until the time of the funeral. Please visit Terry’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share your memories of him or make a contribution to Project Rehab or Pathfinders.