Thomas Edwin Terrell Obituary

Sep 6, 1941 - Jan 20, 2026

Thomas Edwin Terrell passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026. He was born on September 6, 1941, in Yakima, WA to Loren and Dorothy Terrell. The family moved to Washougal, WA, where he attended elementary through high school, graduating in 1959.

Some of his fondness memories from childhood included Christmas time at the family farm in Rosalia, fishing the White Salmon River with his father and friends, and summers at the family cabin at Priest Lake, ID – first at Cavanaugh Bay in a one room cabin with no electricity, and later near Hunt Creek. He remembered early days at the Lake when mule pack trains were still running up the east side of the lake, ice box refrigeration, riding the Tyee, and beach parties with all the neighbors. Later cherished memories of the summers at Priest Lake included big Fourth of July parties with family and friends where Tom would keep a spreadsheet on the best fireworks so we would get "the good ones" next year.

Following graduation from High School, he attended one year at Washington State University, where he had a little too much fun as the campus Playboy Magazine Representative. He then moved to Spokane and graduated from Eastern Washington State College in 1966 with a B.A. in Business Management.

Tom met his wife, Suellen Fossage, in Spokane while she was in the School of Nursing at Deaconess Hospital. They were married in 1964. In 1967, they relocated to Hawaii when Tom was assigned to the Naval Communication Station in Honolulu. After Tom received an honorable discharge, they returned to Spokane in 1968.

He entered the hospitality field in 1962, leading to a lengthy career of management positions including the Spokane House, The Davenport Hotel, Manito Golf and Country Club, and the Spokane Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau. During his time at the Davenport Hotel, he launched the Grand Brunch in the Hotel Lobby and received the Restaurateur of the Year award.

His last position with Choice Hotels International as a Regional V.P. Franchise Director. He spent over 20 years opening franchise properties all over the United States, Canada, Europe, Far East, Australia and more. He enjoyed travelling the world and it allowed him to broaden his knowledge by experiencing diverse cultures and provided him with a whole new outlook on life.

Tom was highly active in the Spokane Community and volunteered on multiple committees. He served as President for West Spokane Kiwanis, President of the Spokane County Hotel & Restaurant Council, Board of Directors for the Lilac Festival Association, and Chairman of the Washington State Tourism Development Program.

He enjoyed snow skiing, boating, cooking, and traveling throughout the United States as well as many countries across the globe. Tom and Sue were long-time members of the Maverick Yacht Club at Lake Coeur d'Alene, enjoying countless hours aboard their boat, The Our Palace.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sue; his two daughters, Kim and Kelcey; three grandsons, Thomas, Riley, and Jack; and his sister, Janet Gabrio of Vancouver, WA.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.