Terry “Otis” Lee Copenhaver passed away on February 13, 2025, on the eve of his 26th wedding anniversary, due to an unexpected illness. His wife, children, and the enormous love of family and friends surrounded him as he transitioned to his next journey. Terry’s gentle spirit and generous nature have forever changed who we are and how we move through this life. Terry requested to be cremated, with his hiking boots on and that his ashes be spread in the mountains he hiked and backpacked over the years. His specific instructions for spreading his ashes were “walk softly and spread joyfully”.
True to character, Terry wrote his own obituary 14 years ago. The following is his unedited version:
Terry Lee Copenhaver passed on a cold day in January of 2024 from complications of heart disease.
Terry was born March 27, 1939, in Bozeman, Montana to Adrian (Sam) and Audra Tharp Copenhaver. Helena was his home for most of his life and he attended grade schools here. He graduated from Helena High School in 1957 and from Montana State University in 1963. Six months after his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, taking basic training at Fort Ord in California and duty station at Fort Myer in Virginia. He served two years as a graphic artist at the Pentagon. In 1964, Terry married Doris E. Diveley of Great Falls, MT and they had three wonderful children – Trevor, Kirsten, and Dana. Terry worked 28 years as a draftsman and designer for the Montana Department of Transportation. He and Doris divorced in 1991 and he retired in 1993.
In 1995, Terry met his true love, Sharon Leshovsky Nickel and they were married February 14, 1999. This began a new chapter in Terry’s life. Together they started a new home, traveled frequently, and enjoyed hiking, biking, music, the arts, family, and friends. His classmates from HHS of 1957 were always near and dear to him as were Army buddies Charlie and Pete. Terry always enjoyed Montana and the outdoor recreation it offered. He “bagged” Granite Peak in 1963 with college friend Carl Rickabaugh. He was a Clancy Montana Volunteer Fireman for 20 years and a Helena area Habitat for Humanity volunteer for six years. His favorite pastimes were creating art and working with wood.
Terry is survived by his dear wife Shari and his children Trevor Copenhaver of San Diego, CA, Kirsten Copenhaver of Helena, MT, and Dana (Brian) Ellsworth of Spokane, WA as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Terry was preceded by his parents DUH? Cremation has taken place, bunions burned.
Wilkinson-Stevenson in charge, if still in business, otherwise dealer’s choice.
TLC” Dated 5/31/2011
In lieu of flowers, Terry requested donations be made to one or more of the following organizations: Clancy Volunteer Fire Department, Animal Foundation, Montana Wilderness Association (aka Wild Montana), or Helena Area Habitat for Humanity.
Our family would like to acknowledge and thank his care team at St. Peter’s Hospital – you all were amazing!
A celebration of life for close friends and family will be scheduled for this summer.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Saundra Lowry says
Terry was a kind and gentle person and one would never know how multi talented he was by his humble behavior. I had the good fortune to know him through Trevor and understand now that Trevor is gifted in some of the same ways. I am sending loving thoughts to all of you now and in the days to come.
Jim and Sally Wilcox says
So sorry to hear about Terry. We both worked with him at MDT. What a great man. RIP Terry.
Pamela Hicks says
I had the pleasure of knowing Terry thru his wife Shari. She is my mom’s friend from high school and very dear to our family. When they met and got married you could tell they were soul mates and meant for each other. Thank you Terry for being such a kind, caring, gracious and loving person and for loving our Shari so well! You were so kind to me and my girls. We always enjoyed that you also signed and made a note in the cards you and Shari sent over the years. Good bless you. Shari we love you!
John Ulberg says
I met Terry in 1961, when delivering the IR newspaper to his folks.When he answered the door I was
takken aback by such a muscled man being so soft spoken. He never changed from being a soft spoken
gentleman of many talents. In recent years Terry and mutual friends shared good times talking art and
painting. I admired his talent and treasured his kind critiques.
Rest well, gentle man.
Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Dear Shari,
We are so sorry to learn of Terrys passing. He was such a kind, gentle soul. We send our sincere condolences as you adjust to the days ahead. You’re in our prayers.
Tom and Judy
Terry Beaver says
Terry,
I was a close friend of Terry in Central school and Helena Junior High . Terry was an excellent student even though the rest of us didn’t follow in his footsteps until much later. We spent many days playing corkball and basketball in Jay Retz’ backyard with Jay, George Knop, and Pete Carkulis.
As I returned from college, Terry and I didn’t cross paths in our lives while we pursued different careers. As a teacher of Genetics, I always referred the Norwegian dominant alleles Terry expressed, with his blessing.
Terry was forever a Gentleman to be emulated.
“Good by” good friend, from our childhood.