Terry Gilchrist
1964 – 2017
Terence James Gilchrist of Colfax passed away in his sleep at his home on Monday, February 20, 2017. He was 52. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 2nd, at 2:00PM at the Colfax Methodist Church with the burial following at the Colfax Cemetery. Viewings will be Tuesday and Wednesday at the Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax.

Terry was born in Spokane on March 26, 1964, and he grew up on the family ranch on Upper Union Flat road. Terry was the oldest of four children to bless the Gilchrist family. He was an active youngster. He much preferred hanging with his dad doing farm activities over being in the house. He was an active participant in the Colfax Jr. Rodeo where he excelled in the rough stock events of bull riding or bareback. Terry also competed in several school sports. Football was his favorite. His passion for the sport helped him become one of the top players in the state of Washington. He was the starting tailback on the 1981 Colfax Bulldog State Championship team. His skills earned him a football scholarship to Wenatchee Junior College. Terry played there for two years and helped his team win their division championship as the starting fullback. He continued his football career at the University of Idaho where he played for Dennis Erickson, and finished his football career at Western Washington University in Bellingham. During his time as a Viking he once again helped his team to an undefeated Championship season as the starting fullback.

Terry moved back to the Palouse and finished his education at Washington State University in 1988. He graduated with a degree in Parks & Leisure Rec Management in 1989. During his time at WSU he developed an interest in mountain biking and often rode from the family farm in Colfax to college on his bike during the week and competed in races on the weekends. Within 6 months of riding and competing he qualified to compete a the pro level, but chose to put his efforts into starting his career. He moved to Redding, California and began working for the parks department. While in California, Terry fell in love with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and for many years this became his passion. He often said he felt free when riding down the open highway. Like everything else he did in his life, he pursued riding with that same all-in attitude. Once he committed, Terry did everything to the max. In 1991, Terry moved back to Whitman County to work at the local parks department. In 1993 Terry decide to change directions in his career and went to work in the cell phone tower industry with Ken Julian. Terry loved the jobs in this line of work as they took him to the tops of towers all over North America. While traveling with these jobs, Terry developed a love of fly-fishing.

In 1999, Terry once again decided it was time to make a change and he went to work in Lewistion at Cable One and stayed their until 2005. His next adventure lead him back to working with cell towers at General Dynamics. After several years he took early retirement due to health issues. In retirement, Terry enjoyed spending time with his family, playing, giving fun gifts, and teasing his nieces and nephews, fishing and riding his Harley. He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Penny Gilchrist, Colfax; brother David (Sue) Gilchrist, Colfax, sister Susan (Craig) Recob of Sammamish, 3 nieces, 3 nephews, 1 great niece and 1 great nephew. He was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Lynn Gilchrist-Lathrop in 2003. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Colfax Jr. Rodeo Association in c/o Kay Riebold or to the Colfax High School for the football program. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com