Terry Zakotnik, age 67, passed away at his home in Big Bear City, California, on Jan. 10. Terry was born July 20, 1955, in Kemmerer, to Mike and Helen Zakotnik. He was raised in Kemmerer and graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1973.
Terry became interested in the ski industry at an early age. After a short stint of college in Leadville, Colorado, he moved to Jackson to work as a lift mechanic at Jackson Hole Ski Area and was eventually promoted to be the tram maintenance manager.
In 1996, he and his wife, Renee, left Jackson for the California desert, where he was the maintenance manager at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. While in California, Terry became interested in ski area and tramway inspections and started Above and Beyond, a business for ski area and tram ropeway inspections and maintenance.
After several years, he took on his nephew, Jason Zakotnik, as a partner in the business. Around 2006, he left the Palm Springs tram and moved to Big Bear to operate Above and Beyond full-time until his death. Terry’s tram and wire rope expertise was well known throughout the ski industry.
Terry was a huge dog lover, and he and Renee always had multiple four-legged kids. They enjoyed being in nature and looked forward to exploring new hiking trails while traveling with their fifth-wheel trailer. Terry loved music, particularly through his vintage record player stereo system, and he enjoyed fixings things (including said record player).
Terry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Renee.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Zakotnik (Mary Kay) of Pinedale; his parents-in-law, Glen and Lee Rodgers of Fruita, Colorado; nephew, Jason Zakotnik (Christy) of Pinedale; and niece, Jennifer Zakotnik-Gutierrez (Carlos) of Aurora, Colorado.
In accordance with his wishes, no services are being held, and scattering of his ashes will be done later this summer by the family.
