Terry Dale Robinson

Terry Dale Robinson shook off his Earth suit and issued forth into the presence of our Lord and Savior at 11:30 am, April 11, 2021, just as Church service would have been ending, surrounded by his loving family, with hymns playing softly in the background, after a year long hard fought battle with ALS. He was born April 27, 1953 in Spokane, Washington to Charles and Donna Robinson. He was the oldest of four raucous and energetic boys. The family traveled all over the United States during his childhood following Charles who served in the United States Air Force. Terry graduated from Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro, Oregon in 1971 and joined the United States Air Force just three days following. He served at the end of the Vietnam War in Europe as a Weapons Mechanic. During this time Terry accepted Jesus into his heart as his Lord and Savior. This became the guiding light and purpose of his life. Upon completing his time in the service of his country, Terry returned to Oregon where he worked as a youth pastor. While working as a youth pastor at Valley Full Gospel Church in Hillsboro, Oregon Terry met the love of his life Ellen Kay Frank. They were married September 1, 1978 in Forest Grove, Oregon and moved to Kirkland, Washington and Terry started college. The couple worked/lived at a ranch for troubled boys in Ellensburg, Washington for 6 months before it was closed down, then moved back to Redmond, Washington where Terry continued college. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Psychology June 6, 1982. They eventually bought a home and settled down in Woodinville, Washington to start their family. Their first child, Christopher James was born December 17, 1983, and his little sister Katie Ellen followed June 19, 1990. During this time Terry helped found the children’s wing at Fairfax Psychiatric Hospital where he worked for 7 years before being hired at Boeing as an aircraft mechanic. In March of 1996 the Robinson family moved to Spirit Lake, Idaho. They lived in the “big yellow house by the park” for 16 years while Terry worked for Empire Airlines. Throughout the years, wherever they were, Terry was always part of the pastoral program of the churches they attended. In 2004 he was hired as the youth pastor and director of family ministry for Spirit Lake Baptist Church until 2007, when he and Ellen decided to branch out and start their own church. Spirit Lake Calvary Christian Fellowship was started in the living room of the Robinson home in February of 2007 with Terry Robinson as the Pastor. The church was a labor of love and devotion for Terry. As the congregation outgrew the living room, Spirit Lake Calvary Christian transitioned into an agreement to rent the 7th Day Adventist Church on Sundays for service. The congregation continued to grow, and in 2016 the fellowship achieved its dream of moving into its very own church building just north of Spirit Lake. Terry strove to be a servant of God and a true example of Jesus Christ’s love for humanity. On the front of his pulpit was a sign that said “others” which served to remind himself, and the rest of the congregation that Jesus wanted us to be about His business in loving and serving the lost and needy of this world. Terry did not treasure possessions, but deeply treasured the loving hearts of the people who surrounded him. He was happy to give and happy to help. Terry loved his family dearly and was the best husband, father, Papa, and father-in-law anyone could ever ask for. His support, kind words, and wisdom will be deeply missed every day. Additionally, he loved hiking, camping, and being in nature, big family dinners with all the kids and grandkids, Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music, building and flying airplanes, building sandboxes, jungle gyms, and playhouse beds for his grandchildren, keeping track of the International Space Station in the sky while roasting marshmallows on a clear summer night, making potato pancakes that were different every time, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, and traveling the world. Terry was preceded in death by his father Charles. He is survived by wife Ellen, son Christopher (Lindsey), daughter Katie (Stephen) Varney, grandchildren Lilly, Lauryn, Elly, Noah, and Stevie, mother Donna, brothers Mike (Susan), Bruce, and Jeff. Nieces and nephews: Roxy, Lori, Jon (Lauren), Jason, Todd,Tammy, Chuck and Rick. “His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Calvary Christian Fellowship 19967 N. Highway 41 Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869. There will be a potluck reception at the church following the graveside service. Cards, flowers, or donations to the Calvary Christian Fellowship Building Fund can be sent to the church. Bell Tower Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Terry’s online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.