Albert Louis Terres
Albert “Al” Louis Terres—a longtime resident of both Goleta, CA, and Grants Pass, OR—passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. He was born on October 6, 1935, to the late Diego Terres, Sr., and Maria Fernandez Terres in Santa Barbara, CA.
Al is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynda Williams of Goleta, CA; ex-wife Norma Lane of Yuma, AZ; sons Randell Terres of Santa Barbara, CA, Daniel Terres of Santa Maria, CA, and Christopher Terres of Yucca, CA; niece Teresa Newton-Terres; nephews Richard Terres and Donald Terres; grandchildren Andres Grizzell, Marissa Terres, Brendan Terres, Jessie Terres, and Keana Brescia Terres; and many other members of the extended Terres and Fernandez families. He was preceded in death by his first wife Lorena Terres, brother Diego “Jim” Terres, Jr., and nephew Diego Terres III.
A Celebration of Life for Al will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, at the McDermott-Crockett Mortuary chapel located at 2020 Chapala St. in Santa Barbara. Afterwards, all are welcome to board the Condor Express from 3:30 to 5:30p.m. to scatter his ashes at sea and attend a brief reception. The Condor Express is docked at the Santa Barbara Landing (301 W. Cabrillo Blvd.) at the end of the Main Harbor Parking Lot.
Al grew up in Goleta, CA, and his lifelong passion for music began at age 10, when he taught himself to play the trumpet. While attending Santa Barbara High School, he played in a 17-piece swing band that entertained at school dances and other school functions. Soon after graduating in 1953, he joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to the Marine Corps Band in San Diego, CA. For the next four years, Al lent his musical talents not only to the 60-piece Marine Corps marching and concert band but also to a seven-piece dance band that played at the officers’ clubs. In later years, he would often speak fondly of his experience in the service.
After receiving a discharge from the Marine Corps in 1958, Al returned to Santa Barbara, where he put his musical career on hold to work as a carpenter, backhoe operator, and independent contractor – capabilities acquired under the stewardship of his father, a general carpenter, while building and renovating the 8700 block of Old Town Goleta. His sons were born in 1960, 1963, and 1970. In the late 70s, Al picked up his trumpet again and became the leader of the Stardusters, a 14-piece band. The Stardusters gained a following around town, playing gigs at the Coral Casino, Miramar, Biltmore, and various country clubs. In 1985, Al sold his contracting business and set off on a several-year motorcycle tour of the United States. He ultimately settled in Grants Pass, OR.
In 2000, Al married Lynda in Santa Barbara, CA. For the next two decades, they led an active social life that included tennis, racquetball, lawn-bowling, motorcycle trips, Lake Cachuma outings, and of course plenty of music. Al will be missed by family, friends, neighbors, and bandmates. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.