George Terrel Symons Sr.

George Terrel Symons Sr., 76 passed away Sunday, September 25, 2011 at his home in Lava Hot Springs. Terrel was born Sunday, August 11, 1935 on the Symons Ranch north of Lava Hot Springs.
Terrel was the first son of six children born to George Daniel and Margaret Williams Symons.
Terrel attended school in Lava until high school which had been moved to McCammon. Terrel was active in varsity basketball and football for Marsh Valley High School where he graduated in 1953. In the fall of 1953, Terrel enrolled at Idaho State University Vocational technical School in Pocatello where he studied welding and diesel mechanics. Terrel was drafted into the United States Army in 1958. He was a Cadre over Allied Officers and met men from all over the free world. He was the instructor for several of the courses they were required to study. He was discharged from the Army in 1964 after six years in the Army Reserves and then worked at various jobs. Terrel was working at the lumber yard when he met the love of his life, Gwendolyn Ruth Ford, to whom he married on April 20, 1967 in Pocatello. He became Daddy to Gwens’ children Gregory Paul and April Lynette’. In 1968 George T. Jr, was born into the family followed by Mariann Ford in 1982.
Terrel enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing and the great outdoors. He loved to take the Sunday drives and annual trips to Yellowstone Park with his family. Terrel was a talented carpenter and builder. He had a hand in building over 15 homes throughout Southeast Idaho. He later created custom frames that to this day hang in homes throughout various states.

Over the years, he made a living for his family by working for Evans Lumber and Coal, Lava Hot Springs Foundation, City of Lava Hot Springs, A.D. Potter Construction, Pony Boats, Marsh Valley School District, and Flying J Travel Plazas. He retired in 1997, due to health issues and cared for his wife of 44 years until her passing in July of 2011 from complications arising from cancer.

Terrel was precede in death by his wife Gwendolyn Ruth, parents George D and Margaret Symons, mother and father in-law, Carl and Mildred Ford, his daughter Mariann, daughter in-law RonaLee Breckenridge Symons.

He is survived by His daughter April Lynette’ (Mike) Hansen of Grace, sons Gregory Paul of Pocatello, George T. Jr of Lava, grandsons Austin Dean Hobson of Lava, Karsen Hansen of Grace, granddaughter Stacie (Trent) Evans of Arimo and great grandsons Weslee and Marcus of Arimo. He is also survived by his siblings Carolyn (Tom) Ranstrom of Pocatello, Dewaine (Sylvia) of Smithfield, Utah, DelRae (Larene) Symons currently on a LDS Mission, Lynden (Candace) Symons
of Lava, Dean (Fran) Symons of Kemmerer, Wyoming and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends always held a special place in his heart, he was proud to go and help out the family whenever possible. He sincerely appreciated having a close knit network family and friends.He was especially fond of ‘The Farmer’s Daughters’ (Lyndens girls) and appreciated their checking in on uncle Terrel.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 29 at 12:00 noon in the Lava Hot Springs LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may visit with the Symons family on Wednesday evening at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again at the church on Thursday morning from 10:30-11:30a.m. prior to the service. Internment will follow in the Lava Hot Springs Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.horsleyfuneralhome@hotmail.com