Terry L. Goracke

Obituary TERRY L. GORACKE Terry was born June 27, 1947 in Bremerton, WA to Glenn and Edith Goracke and died in Tacoma, WA April 27, 2014 following a brief battle with cancer. He graduated from West High School in Bremerton, the class of 1965. He graduated with two associate of science degrees from Olympic College in Bremerton in 1967 and San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1969. Terry worked as a funeral director/embalmer for over 40 years primarily at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton and Lynn Funeral Home in Tacoma. He was an Eagle Scout and earned the God and Country award as a Boy Scout. He served as an adult leader with Pack 277 and Troop 224 in Pacific Harbors Council for nearly 30 years. Terry was a man of commitment, strong opinions, and devotion to family and friends. He worked hard at whatever he did all of his life. In high school, Terry was a proud member of the award winning West High School Band and enjoyed the memories of those days throughout his adult life. Terry's Scouting career began at age 7 and continued throughout his life. Providing leadership and guidance to boys in the Scouting program was a passion of his. Terry was a member of the PTA for many years and served as PTA president at both Pt. Defiance Elementary School and Truman Middle School in Tacoma. He was awarded the Golden Acorn Award for his dedicated service. Over the years his club affiliations included the Lions, Kiwanis, and Elks #174. For his entire career in the funeral industry, he would routinely go above and beyond to provide the very highest quality of care to the families he served. He loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, and motor homing. In September 2013, he realized a dream by driving the entire 7,000 miles of a month-long cross-country trip. Terry was a pet lover both his own and each of the neighbor dogs. Any dogs on a walk in the neighborhood could count on him for dog bones. The current family cat, Toughie, an 18 pound orange tabby, decided if he liked anybody he liked Terry. He cared deeply for his family and made them his highest priority. Terry and Diane had just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. He was devoted to Diane and took over many household tasks as he retired and she still worked. He provided her with excellent care through many surgery recoveries. He was a great dad. Terry was always ready to pitch in on a project or just share a cup of coffee and chat. He loved the role of grandpa best of all and was always anxious to share a granddaughter story. Terry delighted in the hours he spent with his "Goracke Girls". Terry was known for the fact that he would help a friend at any time day or night. His coffee cup and pipe were never far away. He said he "only had one cup of coffee a day, I just fill it many times." Terry loved pie and would tell you he had three favorite kinds; "hot, cold, and luke warm." Terry was often heard to say "if it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer" in the middle of many projects. Terry had a unique witticism for every situation. Terry is survived by his wife Diane; his son and daughter-in-law Troy and Katey Goracke and granddaughters Emelia, twins Claire and Hannah; his daughter Jennifer Crane; his sister Diane Goracke and husband Dean Crabbs; his "other daughter" Dawn Drake and husband Tom and grandchildren Lindsey (Drake) Dickinson (Greg) and Jansen Drake. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Klatt Team Relay for Life in Tacoma June 13 and 14. This American Cancer Society fund raising event was something Terry devoted many hours to as part of the Klatt Team. Donations may be sent c/o Klatt Team Relay for Life, 1307 S. 11th St., Tacoma 98405 with Terry Goracke on memo line. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 1:00pm Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home. Please read full obituary and leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com.Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home (253) 572-6003. Â