Donald Lewis "Don" Terpinitz
Marriages
Janice Jean - 1962
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Death Notice - April 6, 2016
Donald Lewis Terpinitz, 81, Clifton, died April 3, 2016, at
HopeWest and Hospice Care Center.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Church on The Rock.
He was a police officer.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Jean; three daughters, Julie
Lynn Mattocks of Brandon, Florida, Sandi Maureen Bittle of Loma
and Donna Terpinitz-Romo of Catalina Island, California; nine
grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand
Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - July 10, 2016
Donald "Don" Lewis
Terpinitz
December 11, 1934 - April 3, 2016
Donald Lewis Terpinitz, 81,
passed away April 3, 2016, at
HopeWest in Grand Junction,
CO.
He was born December 11,
1934, to Arthur and Lucille
Terpinitz in Glendale, CA. He
spent his childhood in Highland
Park, CA, graduating
from Franklin High School in 1953. He joined the US Navy prior
to his graduation and served from 1953-1955, during the Korean
War, leaving with an honorable discharge. When he returned
home he became a police officer, first in Avalon, CA and
then in South Pasadena, CA; retiring in 1980 after 25 years. During
Donald’s time as a police officer he served as a motorcycle
officer, Head of Detectives and as Sergeant. He was a member
of the Municipal Motorcycle Officers of California.
After his retirement he moved to Grand Junction, CO, where
he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He worked at Frasier International
as head of security in Parachute, and then worked a series of
odd jobs. His last job was for 11 years at Taco Bell at the mall.
He really enjoyed his work there and was affectionately known
as “Grandpa” by the teenagers he worked with. He did whatever
he had to do to provide for his family.
Donald had a passionate love for God, working with young
men at church, and missions. He was involved with Royal Rangers
in both California and Colorado. He, along with his wife,
Jan, were founding members of Church on the Rock in Grand
Junction. He served on the mission’s board at Church on the
Rock and was head of Light for the Lost for the Rocky Mountain
District of the Assemblies of God. He also went on a mission
trip to Uruguay. Donald loved trains and had a huge train table
in his house. He would spend hours working on his trains
and the table, getting them just right.
He met the love of his life, Jan, on Catalina Island, CA. They
married in 1962 in Burbank, CA. She survives. He is also survived
by his daughters, Donna (Joe) Terpinitz-Romo, Catalina
Island, CA; Julie (Mike) Mattocks, Brandon, FL, and Sandi
(Steve) Bittle, Loma, CO; nine grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents
and a sister, Patricia Corwin.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial Gardens, 2970
North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO at 10:00 a.m. on July 18,
2016.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to
HopeWest Hospice, 3090B N 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO.
