Terence Merwin

Terence Merwin passed away on May 27, 2015 at his home in Bozeman, Montana. Terry was born on May 11, 1958 at the former Air Force base in Salina Kansas to Jack and Carolyn Merwin and was the youngest of 4 children. Terry grew up in numerous placed throughout the states and graduated from Riggs High School, Pierre SD in 1976. He moved to Montana where he attended Montana State University in Bozeman and graduated with a degree in cartography. Several years later he decided to further his education and attended law school at the University of Montana in Missoula, receiving his J.D. His dream was to eventually practice environmental law to be able to help protect Montana's natural resources, which he so loved. He accepted a position with a law firm in Missoula where he was working at the time when he suffered a massive stroke on Christmas Day 1997. After several years of rehabilation, including living at the Village West Brain Injury facility of Sheldon, Iowa, he was able to live mostly independently. Those who knew him well attributed his limited recovery to his willpower, determination and stubbornness. Terry struggled daily with the challenges of being unable to speak, hear or communicate. Three years ago he returned to his beloved home of Bozeman and was met again with many new challenges trying to live independently but preserved. Terry loved the state of Montana which offered him the mountains, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and skiing. He also had a passion for sports, especially basketball. He loved animals and his companion Tanna the cat. A special thank you goes to Dr. Tim Canaday of Lemhi, Idaho and Jason Harkins, JD, of Billings, Montana for their continued support and friendship with Terry. Also a special thank you to Dr. Stephan May and Laurie Dow, RN of Bozeman for their compassion and care for him. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Carolyn, sister Jacqueline and brother Wayne. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Vicky and Marv Waitman, nephews Zach Merwin and Seth Waitman, nieces Abbie Waitman and Crystal Pate. He is also survived by his aunt Lois Lane and and uncle Wayne Hay along with numerous cousins and second cousins. A private memorial was held in the mountains of Montana, where he found peace and happiness for so many years. Online condolences may be shared at dahlcares.com.