Melvin Eugene "Gene" Terry (aka Daddaddy, Daddydad, Dad, Honey and FIL) was born on March 7, 1927 in Waxahachie, Texas. He went to school in Maypearl. In 1944, he met Norma Griggs at a roller rink in Waxahachie and wooed her with promises of a convertible. To the dismay of her parents, Gene and Norma married in 1945, at ages 16 and 18. Against all odds, they enjoyed wedded bliss for the next 67 years. During World War II, he was drafted into the US Army. He went through basic training at Ft. Hood in Killeen, TX and then he and Norma moved to California where he was based at Ft. Ord and Camp Stoneman. He later worked in the Separation Center at the Oakland Army Base. After the war, Gene and Norma moved to Red Oak, then on to Lancaster, where they lived from 1950 to 2002. He has lived in Waxahachie for the past 11 years. Gene worked on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company from 1947-1956 and then as a Service Technician for General Electric Company for the next 33 years, retiring in 1989. He enjoyed life immensely -- fishing with his fishing buddies, vacationing with his family, hanging out with the Swim Club, following his kid's musical interests all over the state, and throwing parties with his wife. He loved people and telling stories to anyone who would listen.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Terry (Waxahachie); son Keith Terry, daughter-in-law Evie Ladin, grandson Clay Terry (Oakland, CA); grand-daughter Alice Terry (Honolulu, HI); grand-daughter Amelia Terry, her husband Chad Saunders, and great-grandson Jasper Saunders (Albany, CA)
He is preceded in death by his mother Velma Terry, father Webb Terry, and brother Marion Terry.
Gene passed away on May 29, 2013 at home in Waxahachie, with his family by his side.
The family will receive friends from 7PM to 9PM Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10AM Friday, May 31, 2013 in the chapel of the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Red Oak Cemetery.