Stephen Albert Terry

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)
Stephen Albert Terry was born on May 26, 1928, in Hackensack, New Jersey. It was a foggy Thursday.
Steve passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. His final day now written in God's book; Thursday, October 20, 2022, marking 34,480 days.
Steve grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey with best friends, Tommy Mullins, and Teddy Titlow. He left during the seventh grade when his father, William Bradford Terry was transferred to Montreal, Canada for business. There Steve graduated from Westmount High school in 1945 as an avid skier and hockey all-star, he then attended Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York where he also played football. In 1947, he transferred to Middleberry College in Middlebury, Vermont, graduating in 1951. He received a degree in Geology, played varsity hockey and was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Upon graduating he enlisted in the US Army, during the Korean Conflict where his college experience with topographic maps, aerial photography, surveying and drafting lead him to an assignment with the 30th engineer group, based at the Presidio of San Francisco California. For the next three years he was involved as chief surveyor for high priority Geodetic surveying in remote parts of Alaska, still a territory using maps from the 1800's. In the winter months similar operations were carried out in southern California to upgrade the existing topographic maps from the early 1900's.
On November 8, 1952, in Troy, New York, Sgt. Stephen A. Terry married Jeanette Kendrick Shirley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Shirley formally of North Adams, Massachusetts.
First son, Stephen Bradford Terry was born July 13, 1954, in North Adams Hospital delivered by the same doctor and nurse that delivered his mother. Later that year Steve and Jeannette moved into their first home in Clearbrook Village, Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Second son John Shirley Terry was born December 5, 1956, at Abington Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia.
For 11 years in Philadelphia, Steve worked for Aero Service, traveling the world conducting airborne magnetometer surveys, magnetic data collection and interpretation. While with Aero in 1963, he relocated the family to Hobbs, NM the day President Kennedy was shot. This was the beginning of "The Mokey Project" looking for oil. During 1964 to 1965 the family lived throughout the Permian Basin including Carlsbad, New Mexico, Pecos and Odessa, Texas.
In 1965, Steve took a position with Texas instruments relocating the family to Dallas, Texas.
In 1968, while conducting airborne experiments with infrared photography, Stephen A. Terry became the sole survivor of an airplane crash. He received 2nd and 3rd degree burns over half his body. For the next 18 months he underwent numerous skin graft operations in the burn unit of Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Once recovered he returned to his position with Texas Instruments Aerial Reconnaissance Group traveling the world.
Steve was a Boy Scout Master earning Order of The Arrow. He also coached peewee hockey for many years in the North Dallas area eventually winning the Texas State Championship.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, William Bradford Terry, and Sarah Harding Terry. Also preceding him in death is his wife of 59 years, Jeannette Kendrick Shirley Terry, and youngest son, John Shirley Terry; and grandson, Nolan Bradford Terry.
Steve is survived by his oldest son, Stephen Bradford Terry and his wife, Chylon of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; his grandchildren; Abram Eugene Terry, Brittni Hess and her husband Jarett, Naomi Ramirez and her husband Jeremy, and Genevieve Nicole Peterson and her husband Keith; great-grandchildren, Kyler Joseph Terry, Hagan William Hess, Hyatt Virginia Hess, Liam Nolan Ramirez, Scarlett Haven Ramirez, Chase Alexander Ramirez, Violet Rae Ramirez and William Francis Petersen; niece, Taber Rehbaum, and nephew, Howard Terry; and best friend, Shirley Torrez, and Dusti Taylor Terry and her husband.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho, 138 Frontage Rd NE - Rio Rancho, NM 87124.
Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online or Joy Junction https://www.joyjunction.org/donate-money/
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