Terry William Meisinger

Terry William Meisinger was born April 30, 1951 in North Platte, Nebraska.

Memorial Service:  2:00 pm, Saturday, March 12, 2022 in Biggers Funeral Chapel.

Terry was the second of four children.  He grew up in a very small town with a graduating class of less than 10.  Growing up, Terry was a rebel and often found himself in trouble. With nothing to do, the boys at school would fight each year to see who was the toughest.  Terry said he had a good reach often came out on top. When he was in his teens, his family moved to Denver where he learned to maneuver 18-wheelers for his uncle.  He prided himself on being able to back a truck into a space with only inches on either side.

He joined the Navy in 1969, when he was 18, and was stationed in San Diego and trained as an aircraft mechanic.  Through a series of unfortunate events, he was sent to Vietnam although his papers originally said he’d remain in San Diego.  He served a tour and a half as a helicopter gunner and survived being shot down several times.  This was when the life expectancy of a door gunner was 2 weeks.  His nickname from childhood and into his adult life was “Lucky” and that certainly fit in Vietnam.  He was proud of his service to our country.

After his service, he attended college for a time but quit when he discovered how much money he could make driving truck.  He continued driving trucks across the country for years.  After the war, Terry struggled with addiction, but on December 31, 1997, he took his last drink.  He remained committed to his sobriety for the remainder of his life.  Terry found great meaning and connection in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, and he often credited his Higher Power and AA with the beautiful life he had.

He was given an opportunity to learn how to operate cranes, and then traveled the country working on any type of crane.  He constructed and deconstructed plants and even assembled windmills.  Heights didn’t bother him and he enjoyed the view from the top of a tower crane. In every job, Terry was uncompromising when it came to safety.

Terry was super good at staying connected with friends he’d made throughout his life. He would pick up the phone frequently to reach out to people he knew from years, or even decades before. Once you were in Terry’s circle, you could expect to hear from him regularly. He cared for his friends, going out of his way to sit for hours at doctors’ appointments, or the hospital with anyone who needed it. He was someone you could count on.

Terry rode motorcycles his whole life and some of his favorite days were spent with a group of friends riding in the sunshine.  After he retired, he started playing golf, and spent many wonderful (or frustrating) days with friends out on golf courses. He bonded easily with animals, and they loved him back. He was generous with his friends and family, and nothing made him happier than buying dinner for a group of his friends.  He loved good music and enjoyed live shows.  He recently got to see Eric Clapton and Joe Bonamassa concerts.  Terry excelled at target shooting and was truly ambidextrous with guns. He liked old westerns, especially ones starring Audie Murphy, who was his hero.

Terry and his wife, Julie, married on March 30, 2013 and they built a beautiful life full of friends and family, motorcycle rides, poker games, plays, shows, concerts, and great meals.  Terry and Julie loved to vacation in beautiful places.  They talked often about relocating to some warm place in the Caribbean.  Terry treasured Julie and spoiled her extravagantly. He leaves a huge hole in her life and in the lives of all those who loved him.

Terry was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia Baxer; his father, Howard William Meisinger, and his very beloved older sister, Paula Bernady.

Terry is survived by his wife, Julie Meisinger; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Lacey and Lee Ramse; his stepson and daughter-in-law, Cody and Liz Westmoreland plus a new granddaughter, Harley Avery Westmoreland; his sister, Angel Tillman; brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Deb Meisinger; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tony Bernady and Ruth Hansen; sister-in-law, Amy Dunaway and sister-in-law, Elle Susnis; numerous much-loved nieces and nephews, and half siblings and countless friends who will miss him greatly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth

https://www.ugm-tc.org/donate

Or the Saving Hope animal Rescue

https://savinghoperescue.org/donations