Terry Vann was born August 13, 1947 in Hood River to Wesley and Genevieve (Jennie) Vann. He attended school In Hood River, graduating from Wy’east High School in 1965 and from the University of Oregon in 1969. After graduating, he worked briefly in Portland in the hotel business, but then returned to Hood River to begin his career with United Telephone Company of the Northwest/Sprint. He started his career as an analyst with the revenues group. Then in the early 1980s, Terry was promoted to the position of Director of Revenues for the northwest. Another promotion came Terry's way in 1987, when he became Director of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs, which involved extensive travel and working closely with governmental agencies, legislators and public utility commissions. While living in Hood River, CAST began in 1979 and Terry served on the first Board of Directors. He participated in CAST plays such as The Foreigner, directed Dracula, and was very involved in community activities. In 1990, Terry left Sprint and the Hood River area to become the executive director of the Washington Independent Telephone Association (WITA) in Olympia, Washington - a position he held until his retirement from WITA in 2001. During that time, he worked closely with the legislature lobbying for independent companies in the region. He always said it was a perfect job for him! He got to entertain people, host events and go out to dinner!! Terry was known by many in Hood River as “Santa” every Christmas for years and years! It didn’t matter your age or generation.....he might just show up unexpectedly at your house Christmas Eve. Often he would be outside in the snow with jingling bells to get everyone excited that “Santa” was coming. On occasion he might come in covered in snow after falling into a snow bank! Christmas was also a time when he showered his family with gifts and merriment, and would literally arrive with a car full of gifts for everyone! Other interests included shopping (an all time favorite), cooking, and entertaining for over the top and spectacular dinner parties. These parties always had a theme and special party favors. He also enjoyed gardening in every available space outside his house, and decorating inside for literally every season and in every room. Terry loved costumes and if he could incorporate costumes into ANYTHING he did! The guy loved to have fun!!! Terry had friends wherever he went! Once you met him, you didn’t forget him! He was also a great uncle!! He took his niece and nephews on special trips with him to Seattle or San Francisco or concerts in Portland. He was extremely close to his family and traveled back and forth from Olympia when his parents were ill to help with their care. He is survived by his mother, Genevieve Vann, brother and sister-in-law, John and Terri Vann, sister, Debi Vann, and sister, Pricilla Webber and her husband Cal. He also was an uncle to Jason Vann and his wife, April, Jonquil Vann, and Jared Vann, as well as Debra Konell, Shannon Webber, and Andy Webber and his wife Dione. He was a “great” grand uncle to numerous nephews and nieces, and delighted in visits from the tiniest of the group . . . Will and Emmy Vann, and Charlie, Parker and Jack Vann-Tessmer. He is also survived by his aunt, Sue LaVoie and several cousins. Terry was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Vann, his sister, Sonoma Hatfield, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He passed away after battling a long illness on October 6th, 2017 in Damascus, Oregon with his family by his side. He had experienced Myasthenia Gravis and Vascular Dementia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. His family would also like to express their thanks and gratitude to Tonya Dehart, who provided him with activities, daily outings and care in Hood River, the staff at Avamere Assisted Living Facility in Sandy, and Sara and Michael Larsen, who took exceptional care of him the last 10 months of his life. Services are planned for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 28th at Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.