Jack Terava

Jack Henry Terava, age 91, entered Heaven on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society Bethany in Brainerd, with his daughter, Rebecca, by his side. He was born on November 22, 1929, in Brainerd, MN, to T. Henry “Hank” and Sylvia Terava.

Jack grew up in rural Brainerd on Grave Lake and walked to the country elementary school with his older sister, Marian. He graduated from Brainerd Washington High School and subsequently joined the Air Force, where Sergeant Terava trained as an electronic technician. He later worked in electronics for Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt, MN, while building a home near One Pine Lake in rural Ely with his wife, Mary, and children, Dawn, Joelynn “Joey” and Sylvia.

Jack’s favorited pastimes were hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing, playing his accordion and fixing just about anything. Jack chose not to hunt or trap because he enjoyed all of God’s critters. He proudly referred to himself as a Jack Pine Savage,

Jack self-studied and was certified as a microwave technician. The family moved to Southern California where he began maintaining microwave transmission towers, then to Arizona where he added more towers to maintain. They later returned to Minnesota where he continued in microwave.

In 1972, Jack married Shirley Nolting and they moved to Rapid City, SD, where he continued to work in electronics. Daughter, Rebecca, joined the family in 1977.

Jack returned to Brainerd in 1990, semi-retired and loved working part time outdoors at private and public campgrounds. He also worked at Brainerd High School in the maintenance department.

Jack is survived by his daughters: Dawn Schmid, Joelynn (Dennis) Eastman, Sylvia (Tom) Carlson, Rebecca (Richard) Polipnick; grandchildren: Kayla and Brittney Mudgett, Darius, Austin and Ella Polipnick, John (Janet) Eastman, Daniel (Maria) Eastman, Erin (Chris) Fingal, Emily Eastman, Geneva Cabello; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marian; and former wives, Mary and Shirley.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday, June 5, at The Journey Church in Nisswa.