Ira Garth Terry

October 19, 1936 – May 14, 2026

Some people pass through life under the radar. Ira Garth Terry was not one of those people.

Garth Terry, known to siblings as “Skip” and to those who truly understood his larger-than-life charm, as “Mr. Majestic”, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Heber City, Utah, surrounded by loved ones.

Garth shared a quick wit, sharp mind, and wise counsel, making life an adventure. He loved deeply, laughed often, worked hard, and somehow managed to make ordinary moments entertaining.

He was born on October 19, 1936, in Lakeshore, Utah, to Ira Lee and Eva Hall Terry. From a young age, Garth showed signs that he was not one to sit around waiting for life to hand him opportunity. He created it.

As a boy, he ran a shoe-shining business at Lewis’ Barbershop, charging 10 cents a shine—plus tips. He seemed to understand something important: life rewards those who show up polished. With patience, polish and perseverance, he saved enough money over the years to buy 30 pairs of Florsheim shoes and eventually, purchased his red, Austin-Healey Sprite sports car. Garth believed a man should not only go places in life, but arrive in style.

At age 12, Garth stepped into another spotlight when he was cast in a weekly children’s radio program in Provo, produced by his best friend, Paul Smith, who became the youngest radio broadcaster in the country. Their friendship has endured for more than 80 years, a testament to Garth’s loyalty, and the way he revered people not as acquaintances, but as lifelong treasures.

Garth graduated from Provo High School and attended the Universiry of Utah. Later he served in the United States Army as a medic. He went on to meet the love of his life, Mary Lou Solorio. They were blessed with two daughters, Pamela Dawn and Cynthia Louise and together they built a union that lasted 68 remarkable years. Their love story was not just measured in time, but in homes, travels, laughter, family gatherings, shared faith, and the daily devotion that turns a marriage into a family legacy.

Professionally, Garth built a career in finance with General Electric and Majestic Savings, and also owned Bellco Kitchens and the historic Sunset Beach and Racquet Club. It was a place where families would come in the summer to swim in the huge, 600,000 gallon circular pool surrounded by white sandy beaches, with a high dive island in the center and phenomenal fireworks for the community on the 4th of July.

Life around Garth was never dull. With his brother Orlyn, his sisters Dawn and Ila, there were plenty of gatherings filled with good food, card games, tennis, skiing, stories, and lots of "punny” jokes. Garth had the kind of humor that would arrive at just the right moment, to lighten the room, and remind everyone not to take life too seriously—except, perhaps, when it came to the importance of good shoes.

Garth and Mary Lou lived in Salt Lake City and Albuquerque before making Denver their home for 30 years. Later, they retired to St. George, where they spent nearly 20 wonderful years. Their home became affectionately known as the “Terry Bed and Breakfast”. Although not a commercial establishment, their hospitality deserved five stars. Family and friends were welcomed with open arms for pool parties, biking, hiking, tennis, and Tuacahn musicals under the stars. It was not simply a place to stay; but a place to make joyful memories. Ultimately, they moved to spend their “golden years” in Heber City closer to family.

Garth and Mary Lou loved to travel, sharing adventures to the United Kingdom, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, Mexico, California, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and more. Garth’s favorite destination however, was home with his white “Velcro Dog”, Chinook and later, his salt and pepper schnauzer, Dexter. It’s true, “All dogs loved Gaaath”.

In 2015, Garth and Mary Lou had the sacred privilege of being sealed as husband and wife for all time and eternity in the St. George Temple at the ages of 79 and 77. They were later sealed to their daughters in the Payson Temple. For a family already rich in love, this was a crowning moment in their lives and a cherished expression of their faith, love, and eternal family bond.

Garth was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Eva Terry; his sisters, Ila O’Bryant and Dawn Ipsen; his brother, Orlyn Terry; and their spouses. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Lou; his daughters, Pamela Butters and Cindy Neider (Michael); grandchildren, Heather Ravarino, Lauren Smith (Mackie) and Terry Logan Keller (Yael); and eleven great-grandchildren: Chaela, Chloe and Cambria Ravarino, Siena, Lucca, Nico and Matteo Keller, Christian, Ira Grant, Antonio, and Holland Smith; part of the living legacy he leaves behind.

A celebration of Garth’s life will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Lake Creek Third Ward, 1365 East Center Creek Street, Heber City, Utah 84032. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Heber City Cemetery, 680 North 550 East, Heber City, Utah 84032.

To describe Garth only by dates, places, and titles would miss the man entirely. His life was never meant to be summarized in a few lines; it was meant to be remembered in laughter around a dinner table, in stories that begin with “Do you remember when…,” in the shine of a well-kept pair of shoes, and in the steady love of a family who knew exactly how blessed they were to belong to him.

And somewhere beyond the veil, we like to imagine Garth arriving just as he always did—well-dressed, ready with a clever line and smiling that unmistakable, mischievous smile as Frank Sinatra plays softly in the background: “I Did it My Way.”