Terry Raymond Schoeni

"I've always thought of myself as a farmer."
Terry Schoeni was born and raised in north central Kansas, one of a long line of Schoenis to make a home and life farming wheat and milo, watching the skies, and tucking things away – just in case you might need them later. He loved the land and talked fondly of puttering around the farm with his grandpa and dad. He played a variety of sports growing up, even becoming a star basketball player at Kensington High School (he had the self-typed stats to prove it!). After graduation (his class was 14 strong), he signed up for ROTC and attended the University of Kansas, the start of a lifelong love of all things Jayhawk. On Mount Oread, at the Wesley Foundation, he met Libby Fly and the two fell in love.

"I love you, Libby. Always have. Always will."
Terry and Libby married in 1962 and moved to Utah, where Terry served in the Air Force. Too tall to sit in a cockpit, he signed up for and completed the meteorology program. This led them to Montgomery, Alabama, where their first child, Christa, was born, and then to the National Weather Service in the Kansas City area, where children David and Brian were born. As Terry and Libby's family grew, he worked rotating shifts and made a career in meteorology, watching workplace tools evolve from colored pencils, punch cards and ticker tape to high-speed computers. Coworkers respected his skills and steady demeanor, saying, "I think we all behaved better when we were around Terry." His love of weather put him in the middle of forecasting severe storms for the US, all while teaching his family about clouds and weather - and watching for tornadoes from the open garage whenever the sirens sounded.

He encouraged his kids in school, sports and music ("I pay for the lessons") and later enjoyed hearing his kids' thoughts about what was going on in the world. He and Libby were immersed in life at Asbury United Methodist Church, and even though Libby may have taken the lead, he left his mark - singing in the choir, fixing things around the building, and leading and participating in committees, mission trips, and Stephen Ministries.

Terry and Libby celebrated 62+ years of marriage, with Terry telling her "I don't know why you picked the skinniest farm boy in Kansas … but I'm glad you did."

"An expert at nothing; an enjoyer of many things."
Terry was quiet and gentle (except when "critiquing" the refereeing during basketball games), and always hoped to do right by others. He enjoyed many pursuits after retiring, including woodworking - making scores of pens, puzzles and holiday decorations, as well as many other projects - all finished with exacting precision. His love of sports never waned, playing golf often and cheering on the Jayhawks and Kansas City's pro teams (often dozing during evening televised games). Terry and Libby supported the arts, enjoying the Kansas City Symphony and the New Theater regularly. They traveled the US, the UK and parts of Europe, visiting family and exploring natural and historical landmarks. He continued his connection to weather, volunteering as an observer/reporter for the weather service, organizing and attending annual weather service picnics - and never failing to give and gather weather updates during every family call or conversation. His farm roots ran deep; he made regular visits to the family farm to putter, keep an eye on things, and feed his soul.

Terry spent the last two and a half years of his life taking care of Libby and making friends (and eating desserts) at Lakeview Village. Terry will be missed by those who knew him.

Terry Raymond Schoeni was born August 29, 1939, and died June 17, 2025, from lung failure following a bout of COVID in late January 2025. He was preceded in death by parents Beulah and Virgil and brother Don. He is survived by spouse Libby (Elizabeth); children Christa (Robert Hill), David (Laura Rasor), Brian (Megan); and grandchildren Theo, Malena, Corinne, Jonathan and Lucinda.

A celebration of Terry's life will be held at 1 pm on July 31, 2025, at Asbury United Methodist Church at 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208. The family will visit with friends and family following the service. Also, for those unable to attend in person, you may access a live-stream and/or recording at visitasbury.org. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Cross-Lines Community Outreach (cross-lines.org) and/or Asbury United Methodist Church (visitasbury.org).