Michael Terry

Mike was born September 12, 1940 to Nathan and Grace Terry in Grand Rapids, MI, the eldest of three children. He graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids and received a B.S. degree in education from Western Michigan University. He later earned a M.E. from Grand Valley State University. He married his beautiful wife, Suellen VanderBaan in 1963. Mike was able to provide a positive influence to thousands of students during his 37-year career teaching auto mechanics and electrathon racing at Grandville High School. He enjoyed restoring and tinkering with cars in his spare time. He also was passionate about the out-of-doors and loved to hunt and fish. Some of his granddaughters' fondest memories of their grandpa were on the water at Hardy, MI. Friends and family will remember Mike for his generosity, reliability, sense of humor and love of dogs.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Suellen; son Russ (Jennifer) and granddaughters Emma and Layne; daughter Becky; sister Pamela (Jon) Woodson; sister-in-law Cyndy Terry; two nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Brian. A memorial service and celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie Street SW, Grandville. The family will meet with friends and relatives one hour prior to services on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family requests donations be directed to Ducks Unlimited, Attn: Russ Terry,1220 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Hope Lodge or a charity of one’s choice.

The family welcomes messages and memories in their online guestbook at www.cookcares.com.