Terence Damon “Terry” Pilon passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, following a valiant battle against Covid-19.
Terry was born in 1958 in Flagstaff, Arizona to Chuck and Linda Pilon, then-students at Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University). Two years later, the family moved to Phoenix, where Terry grew to manhood and lived the rest of his life. Terry attended Madison Rose Lane Elementary School and Brophy College Prep, where he played football, basketball and baseball before graduating in 1976. Terry was also the original Phoenix Suns ball boy and earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1972.
Terry returned to Northern Arizona University for college, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. While there, Terry was the first concert coordinator for Walkup Skydome, scheduling performers such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Leo Kottke, Styx, and Johnny and June Carter Cash. Terry’s love for music, especially Bruce Springsteen, lasted throughout his life.
After college, Terry married former spouse, Lisbeth Larson (now Ward), with whom he shares two children, Chase Benjamin and Chelsea Elizabeth. In 1999, Terry met Lori Voepel, and the two were married at the Desert Botanical Gardens in October 2001. They would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year. In 2009, Lori and Terry’s daughter, Ciara Jade, was born.
Terry worked for 27 years in banking, including as a commercial lender and vice president of several valley banks. After Ciara’s birth, Terry became a licensed realtor for more flexibility. He recently also obtained his paralegal degree and certification from Phoenix College, and was anxious to begin his legal career.
The greatest joy of Terry’s life was being a father to Chase, Chelsea and Ciara. Terry and Chase were more than father and son – they were best friends who loved talking about sports and playing trivia games. Terry was beyond proud of Chelsea, and looked forward more than anything to dancing with Chelsea at her April wedding. And Terry was Ciara’s coach, mentor and constant companion. Terry also had two major passions, the first being his lifelong passion for Notre Dame Football. Terry attended many games at the Golden Dome and elsewhere to root for his Fighting Irish. Terry’s other passion was coaching Ciara in girls’ basketball and softball through the RAMMS and YMCA youth sports programs, and through Kaizen Basketball Academy (KBA), an organization Terry helped professional women’s basketball coach, Olaf Lange, to create. Learning from Coach Olaf how to teach fundamental basketball skills to young girls was one of the great highlights of Terry’s life, and “Coach Terry” was beloved by the girls, families and other coaches of KBA and RAMMS, where he coached until his illness and untimely death.
For several years, Terry was also an avid runner, completing several full and half marathons in Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Las Vegas.
Terry is survived by his wife, Lori Voepel (Phoenix), his children, Chase Benjamin Pilon, Chelsea Elizabeth Pilon (Fred Jeffers), and Ciara Jade Voepel-Pilon. He is also survived by his parents, Dr. Charles and Linda Pilon, sisters Carin Robinson (Kelly), Cheryl Meyer (Mike), and Cindy Mero (Kelly), nieces Taylor and Jillian Robinson, Quin and Carson Mero, and Kaitlyn Meyer, and nephew Collin Robinson (Nikki), plus many aunts, uncles and cousins. Terry was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all.
A celebration of life will be held at Unity of Phoenix Spiritual Center on March 27, 2021 at 5:00 PM, 1500 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85022. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Terry’s name to:
Terry Pilon Girls Sports Memorial Fund
Arizona Justice Project
Covid-19 Emergency Response at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Skip and Cyndi Hanson
We knew the first time we met him that Terry was a “keeper”. He had a great sense of humor and was fun to be with!
We will miss him at family gatherings and remember him with love.
We hold you, his precious family, in our hearts and mingle our tears with yours.
With love and sympathy,
Skip and Cyndi
Cristina Maria Canales
What a beautiful and full life Terry lived. Reading about his life reminds me so much of all the Pilon children. So involved and always active with a devotion to family and community. Tells you so much about the Pilon family values and the devotion they have taught by example to each of thier children. Terry lived by example and did it with so much love.
May Terry forever rest in peace .
May deepest condolences to Terry’s family and children and to Dr. and Mrs. Pilon and Family.
Kenenth & Linda Dixson
We never had the privilege of meeting Terry but everything we have ever heard about him, he was a good husband, father and an all around good man. RIP Terry, you have lived a good life and now in the arms of your Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ. Condolences, thoughts and prayers for all the family and loved ones. Thinking of you Lori and children with love.
Patience Huntwork
What a monumental loss for his family and our whole community. It is indescribably sad.
Chelsea Pilon
Dad,
I’ll miss you always but love you even longer. You lived a wonderful life and I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for the visits in my dreams. Please keep coming.
Love,
Chelsea
Marianne Susong
What an amazing man with so much love and many talents that he shared with family and community. No doubt he has influenced and inspired many. Truly a life well-lived, sadly gone too soon. Love to all of the Pilon family and especially to Lori, Chase, Chelsea, and Ciara
Sharon Seivert a nd the Danny T Seivert Family
What a terrible loss. Terry was a good guy. I am sorry to you all for your loss. God Bless you all
Christine Stoffel
My dear friend Lori,
Terry is one of the kindest soul’s I have ever known. Jim will be happy to have his friend with him in heaven… they will be able to hang out, joke and watch over all of us from above.
My heart is with you during this difficult time, just know Terry is watching over you and the kids every day. He is with you and will guide you on this journey.
Talk to him, trust that he is still with you and always will be!
I love you and will always be there for you!
Love,
Christine
Sue Coppinger
I am heartbroken…. It is devastating for someone so young with so much to do in life, to pass. I haven’t seen Terry in so many years, but he was one of my little brother’s (Pat Kenney) best friend growing up. Like Terry, my brother didn’t have the chance to live his life to the fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with the Pilon Family.
Steven Thomas Odenkirk
Pilon Family, Terry was a co-worker and friend from over 30 years ago when we both were just launching our careers at Valley National Bank. He was a good friend and we had much in common as we worked to climb the corporate ladder. I always looked forward to re-connecting when I would get to Phoenix for a visit and we would trade stories bragging on our children. I will miss my friend very much and hope you know how much he meant to so many. A life well lived.
Edward & Karin Aldama
Terry was an amazing husband to Lori, father to Ciara, and friend to Karin and I. We miss him terribly. We had so many great times getting the families together. His memory will always live on with us. Lori, you and Ciara are always in our thoughts. We love you.
Carol Thatcher
Our hearts were broken for you all upon hearing the news of Terry’s passing.
Hugs and love to you