Terry Lee Eirich

1960 - 2025

Terry Lee Eirich

March 6, 1960 - December 10, 2025

Terry Lee Eirich, age 65, of Kearney Nebraska, passed away at his home on December 10th, 2025, after a lengthy fight against cancer.

Terry was born on March 6th, 1960, in Scottsbluff Nebraska to Eileen Schnee. Terry grew up in the Scottsbluff/ Gering Nebraska area and moved to Sioux County Nebraska in the 8th Grade.

Terry attended and graduated from Sioux County High School in Harrison, Nebraska. Following high school, Terry attended Central Community College in Hastings Nebraska and later graduated with an Associates degree in Welding Technology.

Terry married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Eirich on June 7th, 1980. Terry and Deb made their home in Kearney Nebraska. Terry and Deb celebrated the births of their two sons, Christopher Eirich and Drew Eirich. Terry and Deb later welcomed their four grandchildren, Shea, Paige, Jack and Elliot.

Terry was a Boy Scouts leader, a soccer coach for his sons and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Terry's primary passion was serving his community through his dedication and membership to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Terry proudly served the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years. During his fire department career, Terry held every leadership rank in the department, including the rank of Chief between 2010 and 2015. Terry's greatest passion within the department was training and fire prevention. Terry loved teaching new firefighters and pioneering modern, advanced fire training for tenured firefighters from all over Nebraska. Terry had a special passion for conducting fire prevention programs and firefighter museum presentations for the youth of Kearney and surrounding communities.

Terry worked for Bamford Inc. in Kearney Nebraska for 36 years as a welder and fire sprinkler systems manufacturer. In 2015, Terry moved on to his dream career as the Fire Inspector for the City of Kearney. Terry served in this role for the final 10 years of his career. Terry also worked as a firefighting instructor for the State of Nebraska Fire Marshall's Office. During his professional career, Terry was honored with numerous commendations and awards recognizing his achievements. Prior to his passing, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department awarded Terry with the Legacy of Service Award and dedicated their training tower in his name. Terry's legacy will forever live on in the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department training facility; a place he devoted his life's work to.

Terry is survived by his wife, Deborah of Kearney Nebraska; his son, Christopher, daughter-in-law, Donna and grandchildren, Paige and Jack of Hickman Nebraska; his son, Drew, daughter-in-law, Kelly and grandchildren, Shea and Elliott of Bruning Nebraska; his brother-in-law, Marvin Taylor and sister-in-law, Kathy Angelino of Parker Colorado as well as numerous other extended family members.

Terry was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Schnee; his grandparents, Alex and Molly Eirich; and his mother and father-in-law, Lea Lu and Kenneth Taylor.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 16th at 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church, 4500 Linden Drive in Kearney. Burial will be held at Kearney Cemetery 4400 Avenue following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.