Terry McConnaughey, 89

Bonner County resident, John Terrance "Terry" Hubley McConnaughey, passed away in LaConner, Wash., on Oct. 26, 2024, with his daughter, Traci, husband Harlon and grandson, Jesse, at his side. Terry was just three days short of his 90th birthday. Terry was born Oct. 29, 1934, in Leesville, La. 

His early years were spent in Louisiana and Texas prior to moving with his parents to Seattle; and during WWII lived with the family at the submarine port located at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. Following the war, the family moved back to Seattle and then in 1947 to North Idaho. Along with two other families, the family purchased and revived the old mining town of Talache to become a fishing resort on Lake Pend Oreille and a small ski area where Terry often worked. 

In 1951, the family moved into Sandpoint where they lived for many years. Following graduation from Sandpoint High School in 1953, Terry worked for Russell Oliver in logging operations. He met and married Freda Raynor in 1958. Son Danny and daughter Traci were born during this time in Sandpoint where he also worked for the Sandpoint Police Department. 

In 1963, he accepted a position with the Alaska State Troopers and the family moved to the first of many locations around the state as Terry worked his way up to major and commander of the Uniform Services Detachment. Terry greatly enjoyed his years as an Alaska State Trooper. He served in Alaska until 1990. 

Following Terry’s retirement, he and Freda moved back to the Sandpoint area, building a house on Comeback Bay near Sagle. He became involved in many activities around the area, including chairing a committee to plan, fund and build the bike path between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene. The Carlson-McConnaughey Sagle Bike Trail was named in honor of Dr. Carlson and Terry. He greatly enjoyed skiing at Schweitzer Basin serving with the ski patrol and boating on Lake Pend Oreille. 

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Harlow and Essie; and his wife of nearly 64 years, Freda, who died in 2022. He was also preceded in death by his youngest brother, Brian, in 2009. 

He will be greatly missed and is survived by his son, Daniel (Anchorage, Alaska), daughter Traci Miles (Harlon), grandsons Jesse (Gena) and Anthony “AJ” Miles and his great grandchildren, Norah and Henry Miles. Also surviving are sisters Helen (Seattle, Wash.), Victoria (Phoenix, Ariz.), Susan (Chantilly, Va.) and Gaye (Liberty Lake, Wash.) as well as brother Harlow “Bud” McConnaughey (Bonners Ferry, Idaho). 

A celebration of life memorial service will be held in the spring of 2025.