Shortly after high school graduation, Terry volunteered to enlist in the United States Navy. As a radio operator with top-secret clearance, he played a crucial role in the Vietnam War by relaying messages around the globe. His service included Survival Education Training at Camp LeJeune, being stationed on Guam, assignments aboard the USS Arlington from which President Nixon watched the Apollo 11 landing, and the USS Sacramento in the West Pacific. Terry received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
On December 27, 1969, Terry and VaReane Gray of O’Neill were married in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill. They made their home in Bremerton, Washington. This is where their oldest son, Kevin, was born while Terry was serving on the USS Sacramento off the coast of Vietnam.
In 1970, he was Honorably Discharged and the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he worked at Goodyear before training as an optician with Bausch & Lomb. Their second son, Christopher, was born there. Eventually the family moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with Bausch & Lomb, then to Omaha, where their youngest son Patrick was born. Terry continued his career as an optician and optical lab supervisor until retirement in 2013.
Terry, an adept angler with a deep passion for fishing, earned the title of Master Angler multiple times. In addition, he took pleasure in activities such as trap shooting, hunting, camping, boating, scuba diving, and water skiing, often sharing his experiences and wisdom with family and friends. His fishing expeditions spanned: Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Arkansas, Missouri, California, Washington, Florida, and Canada. Terry is survived by VaReane, his wife of fifty-four years, his sons: Kevin (Kelly), Chris (Katina), and Patrick (Luke Pella), grandchildren: Hailey, Kira, Misa, and Brodie. His surviving siblings are Karen, Bob (Vicki), and Patty.
A private graveside service with Military Honors will be held at the Omaha National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering donations to: The American Lung Association, Millard American Legion Post 374, or The Nebraska Walleye Association.
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