Terry C. Florence Sr. was born on March 22, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Odis Florence Sr. and Esther Florence. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Terry graduated from Shaw High School in 1975, and from that point on, he left an unforgettable mark on everyone who crossed his path. To some, he was Big T, Pops, Mr. T, Poofey, TC, Old Man, or Flo, but the name he carried with the greatest pride and joy was simply Dad.

Terry was truly one of a kind — a man of many talents and even more heart. He was a mechanic, plumber, carpenter, electrician, soldier, therapist, and a father figure to many who needed one. If something was broken, he could fix it.  People knew that when Terry showed up, everything would be okay.

In the early 1980s, Terry made Cleveland, Ohio his home. He found his purpose and second family at the VA Hospital, where he faithfully served for more than 30 years before retiring. His loyalty, humor, and work ethic left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with.

But more than anything else, Terry loved his family. His presence, advice, laughter, and unconditional love filled every room he walked into. To know him was to be loved by him. His legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and all the lives he touched along the way.

Terry leaves to cherish his memory his soulmate and “forever girl,” Gwen Florence; his children — Bryant, Terry Jr., Tiona, Terrica, Taneisha, Kenya, Tafari, Gregory, and Dashana; his siblings — Linda, Curtis, Michael, Gale, and Gary; and his adored grandchildren — Bryant Jr., Nasir, Terri, Trier, Phoenix, Kingston, Kartier, Terris, Kenzie, King, Naveah, Tafari Jr., Nadia, Khamari, and Kalvin.

He also opened his heart to his honorary children — Stefon, Latasha, Kourtney, Jeanova, Maya, and ______ — each forever a part of his extended family, along with the many others who may not be named but who knew him as a father figure.

If Terry ever worked on your car, yelled at you, fed you, let you crash on his couch, lived on Drexel with you, had a little scuffle with you, or even “banned” you — then you were family to him. That’s just who he was — always loving, always real.

Though Terry may not walk beside us anymore, his wisdom, laughter, and love will forever echo in our hearts. His spirit will never fade. His story will never end.