Terrence (Terry) Joseph Moran, 58, of Deer Lodge, passed away on Monday, February 29, 2016 at home surrounded by family and friends, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on September 6, 1957, in Missoula, to James and Ila Moran, the second of nine children. As a young boy he lived with his family on a homestead in Turah. There he discovered his love for the outdoors as he grew up exploring the mountain of Allen Creek in his backyard. He went to grade school in Clinton and graduated in 1975 from Sentinel High School.
Terry was an ambitious, hard working, young man. His first paying job started at “The Station” in Milltown. He later worked for Washington Construction learning his trade of working as a tire man/mechanic. He worked on multiple job sites from the building of the Bonneville Dam near Portland, OR, to Soda Springs, ID, Challis, ID, Rock Springs, WY, Grand Junction, CO, Kemmerer, WY, San Diego, CA, Ely, NV, and Winnemucca, NV where he worked for Newmont Twin Creeks Mine for 20 years changing some of the largest Caterpillar truck tires in the mining industry.
On February 4, 1983, he welcomed the light of his life, a daughter, Jenelee Sue. She later blessed him with two beautiful grandchildren.
On October 18, 2008, he married Diane LaLonde in Reno, NV. In a chance meeting, these two were destined to be together. She was his rock, his angel, the love of his life.
In 2013, he and Diane moved to Montana where they could enjoy all the beauty that Big Sky country has to offer…mountains, green grass, crystal blue waters, and trees. He enjoyed hunting, four-wheeling, drives through the back roads, western movies and books, good friends, warm bonfires, and cold beer.
Terry is survived by his loving wife, Diane; daughter, Jenelee (Adam) Fross; brothers, James (Alberta) Moran; Pat (Shari) Moran; Tom Moran; Tim (Kathy) Moran; Lawrence (Vyonne) Moran; Greg (Rachelle) Moran; sisters, Colleen (Michael Zwiefel) Moran; Theresa (Ron) Hager; granddaughter, Bianca Fross; grandson, Kaiden Fross; step-sons, Jason (Heather) LaLonde; Jeff LaLonde; 10 nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and his fur baby, Wylie. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Jonathan Moran.
Visitation will be Sunday, 2-5 PM and a vigil at 5 PM at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula, followed by a Celebration of Life at the residence of Lawrence & Vyonne Moran in Turah. Mass will be on Monday at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Xavier Church with Father Michael Poole officiating, luncheon to follow. Donations may be made to Highlands Hospice, Butte, MT; or with a tribute in his name to www.caringbridge.org; or because of his love for the outdoors, please plant a tree in his honor.
