Terry Summach

Terry Summach

October 11, 1942 – September 7, 2023

Terry Emerson Summach was born October 11, 1942 to Emerson and Joyce Summach.

Although many will remember Terry for his entrepreneurial spirit and business achievements with Flexi-Coil, he would want to be equally remembered for his deep faith, love of family, and his commitment to growing God’s Kingdom.

Terry was raised in Saskatoon, attending Nutana and Aden Bowman Collegiate. After a year at the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary, he enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. While he was an engineering student, he began flying lessons, which became a passion that he passed on to the generations to follow.

In 1964, as a 21-year-old, tragedy struck Terry’s family. Terry’s father passed away in his arms. Terry found himself unexpectedly the head of his household. Reliance on his Lord gave him the strength to finish his degree, support his mother and two younger sisters, and run the family business.

Terry’s love story started as a blind date. He met a first-year nursing student from Fenwood, Lois Schmuland. His joy was complete when she agreed to marry him on June 25, 1966. She would became his cherished wife of 57 years.

In 1969, with his company facing bankruptcy and down to three employees, Terry and Lois began their own family and were blessed with two sons, Berk and Brad, and daughter, Karissa.

Terry’s time was invested in his family and his company with the desire to be used by God as a servant and steward. He had great vision and dedication, but always knew it was God at work through him to bless others.

Flexi-Coil really began to grow due to several significant innovative developments, acquisitions, and creative business strategies. In hindsight, it appeared easy and streamlined with a growth chart pointing continuously up and to the right. At the time, it was stressful and turbulent more often than not. Terry would say that it was God’s provision and perfect timing that allowed him to find and develop an amazing group of people – hardworking, intelligent, and supportive of the Flexi-Coil vision. Terry’s family wishes to thank you. You know who you are.

With Terry at the helm, Flexi-Coil saw global expansion. There was exponential growth in North America, Australia, Europe, and South America. Terry was a pioneer in bringing western dry land grain farming technology into regions as far as the former Soviet Union.

The employee base grew to approximately 2000 highly valued individuals by the late 1990’s. Throughout this growth, Terry never lost his gratitude and appreciation for his employees. In the good years, bonuses were plentiful and, in all years, you would find Terry and his management group hand delivering Christmas turkeys to every employee.

Terry’s office door was always open to anyone seeking his guidance or simply a kind word. He loved people and derived immense joy from helping them. He shared his unwavering faith, embodying the belief that God is not merely a means to an end, but the destination itself.

Flying was not just a hobby but a part of Terry’s essence. Terry was an accomplished pilot who frequently took to the skies. He was passionate about aviation. Because of this, he recognized a unique marketing opportunity that would allow his passion and his business to merge. Flexi-Coil used airplanes throughout several decades as a business tool and as a means to support, develop, train and educate farmers in Flexi-Coil products. It brought Terry great joy to have his wife become his original first officer, later joined later by other family. His sons and a grandson continue to share his passion as professional pilots.

Terry and Flexi-Coil received numerous awards and business accolades, including Abex awards, Sabex awards, Saskatchewan Business’s 1989 Entrepreneur of the Year and Saskatoon’s Engineering Society’s 1994 Engineer of the Year. As a testament to his priorities, these trophies and plaques reside in the basement, while pictures of his family and loved ones adorn the rest of his home.

Acts of charity were immensely Important to Terry. He heavily supported the church he attended, the children’s camp he once directed in the 1970’s, the Baptist Union Development Fund, Teen Challenge Saskatchewan, and many other ministries. His desire for outreach led to the founding of e3 Ministry Canada. This non-profit organization equips people to share the gospel all over the world. His enthusiasm was infectious, fuelled by his unshakable belief that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Terry will be deeply missed by: his beloved wife Lois, son Berk (Stephanie) and their children Taylor (Brayden), Paige (Jared), Nick (Mackenzie), Sydney (Trae) and son Brad (Cindy) and their children Jeff (Emily), Jeremy (Presley), Dakota (Tim) and daughter Karissa (Trent) and their children Brayden (Madison), Emily and Thomas, great grand-children, sons of Jeff (Emily) Reuben and Nixon, sisters Sharon Mineer and Carol Berry.

Terry was undeniably a great man, but his greatest wish would be for us to remember him as a devoted follower of Christ, sharing Jesus’ love with all the world. Throughout his life and many accomplishments, he wanted credit and thanks given to his Lord and Saviour.

You can contribute to his legacy by making a donation to e3 Ministry Canada, Box 22052 Cornerstone PO, Prince Albert, SK S6V 8A6.

A public come and go viewing will take place on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at Dalmeny Funeral Home, 139 3^rd Street, Dalmeny. A private Graveside Service will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF GRAVESIDE SERVICE FOR THE LATE TERRY SUMMACH
(A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above.)

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.