William Terry Thrift Jr.

Terry Thrift, Jr., 96, passed away peacefully at home beside Dot, his beloved wife, and surrounded by family on February 7, 2017. Terry loved life and pursued it optimistically with an unrelenting and determined spirit. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and son, Terry took great pride and joy in every member of his family. He served as a strong and steady beacon to his family and was a loyal and steadfast friend. Terry loved the outdoors. His and Dot's curiosity about the world took them on many travels often with friends. He will be greatly missed by all. Born in Nixon, Texas on November 23, 1920 to his parents W. Terry Thrift Sr. and Lucile Bourland Thrift. Terry's family moved to San Antonio in 1922. He attended Jefferson High School, serving as the Student Council president in 1938. He attended Texas A&M, serving as his Freshman Class president, and later as president of the YMCA, graduating in 1942. He served for four years as an officer in the US Army Engineer Corps in northern Europe during the Second World War. Before leaving for Europe, he met his future wife Dot Hudson while she was attending Texas University, starting a love affair lasting over 70 years. They married after the war on July 20, 1946. During that same year, he started a home building business. Later he added commercial construction, real estate developing, industrial building and leasing, land sales, coin laundromats, a moving and storage business, computer software development, and credit card collections. During these periods, he also participated in partnerships involving a dinner playhouse, ranching and timber, real estate rentals and Imax Theatres. He was most proud of having built several Baptist churches and school buildings. He participated in various civic and religious activities, including serving in such capacities as a deacon and trustee of the Trinity Baptist Church, president of the Board of the Northeast School District, president of the Alamo Kiwanis Club and vice-president of the S.A. Homebuilders Association. Terry is preceded in death by his brother, David B. Thrift and sisters: Loraine Kirk and Jean Marie Scholz. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Hudson Thrift; their children: Jill Carol Thrift, Barbie Thrift Beach, and her husband Douglas; Terry (Buff) Thrift III, and his wife Kathie; grandchildren: Bryan Beach, Tyler Beach, Graham Beach and his wife Jennifer; Kyle Thrift and his wife Taylor; Hudson Thrift and Taylor Thrift; and great grandson, Ryland Beach. Dot, Terry and their family are deeply appreciative of a special friendship over many years with Carolina Barajas, and for her loving care of Dot and Terry. A service celebrating the life of Terry Thrift will be held at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm on Monday February 13, 2017 in the Garden Chapel. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roger Hill Sr., Pat Legan, Taliaferro Cooper, John Loyd. A reception at the church will follow service.