Terrance Michael Priest

Terrance Michael Priest, age 81of Grand Rapids passed away on July 26, 2025. Terry was born on November 8, 1943, and was the oldest of 2 kids. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Herbert and Carlyn Priest and his wife Kathy Priest. He is survived by his sister Sue Waite, his children Dan (Janice) Priest, Theresa (Todd) Sukup, Tom (Michelle) Priest, Mary (Rodney) Walker, Tim (Laurie) Priest, Elizabeth (Steve) Boshoven, and Matt (Kristen) Priest; grandchildren, Tim Priest, Ben (Audrey) Walker, Mike Priest, Mason (Tucker) Klatt, Sarah Priest, Katie (Tyler) Thenikl, Sam Priest, Steven Priest, Shane Priest, Jack Boshoven, Emme Priest, Erin Sukup, Joe Boshoven, Izzy Priest, Ryan Boshoven, Charlie Boshoven, Ruby Priest, and Iris Priest; great-grandchildren Finnegan Klatt, Lincoln Walker and Genevieve Klatt. Terry was adopted by a loving couple in Grand Rapids, attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and Aquinas College, fell in love with a great girl, got married, taught History, and had seven kids. He was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions, faithfully rooting for the win or lose. Terry was a life-long Catholic and active member of the Knights of Columbus – Bishop Haas Council #4362 for decades, with a long run working bingo and handing out tootsie rolls during fundraising efforts each year. But most of all, he was truly a nice guy. If you met him, you already knew that, and it was no secret he was that way with everyone. He cared, he helped out, he listened, he shared. He maintained a gentle kindness and a sense of humor and found time for fun along the way. And while his students, friends, and coworkers got the benefit of his positivity, his kids enjoyed that and more with a dad that was fair on discipline (and light on punishment), interested in us as individuals, supportive of whatever we chose to pursue, and always on the sidelines or in the audience any day of the week. We could tell him anything, and he would talk with us without judgement and help us figure things out. Thank you Dad for being that kind of dad. Growing up, our dad did many things for us and with us. Drive-in movies (a good deal for a family of 9), watching TV together, mostly comedies and establishing our shared sense of humor, picnics, trips to Gun Lake, and our family vacation to Northern Michigan were memorable. More memorable are the times when one of us got to go somewhere, really anywhere with him. A trip to Meijer, picking up dinner, a run to Stop-N-Go. It was just fun to be out of the house and one on one with him. The chats, stopping for a treat, and some mini (don’t tell the others and don’t tell your mother) adventures were a big event for any one of us seven kids. Our dad worked a lot... He taught in Wyoming Public schools for 30 years, coaching track, overseeing the yearbook, and teaching adult education classes at night along the way. In the summer he would set up tables and work the 28th Street Flea Market (which was thrilling for the couple of kids that tagged along every weekend). After retiring from teaching, he worked for Barnes and Noble for another 14 years and was a seasonal Santa Claus as well. He is loved and will be missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday July 31 at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Church where he will repose one hour prior to the Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. His family will receive visitors Wednesday July 30 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW. Our family would like to thank the caregivers from Hospice of West Michigan for their help and support during a difficult time. We want to thank the staff of StoryPoint and the CorsoCare staff for their kindness and care as well. We appreciate everything you did for Terry and our family.

Tributes

Terrance Michael Priest

November 8, 1943 - July 26, 2025