Joe D Terry

Joe Dwayne Terry was born on March 21, 1943 in Quanah, Texas to parents Wayne R. and Sally Terry. He was called home, with family at his side, on November 18, 2010 in Plano, Texas.

Joe was the consummate husband, father, family man, business man and friend. In all these relationships, it was his desire to reflect a life in Christ. Joe took seriously, the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words."

He loved his wife, Carolyn. In her, the sun would rise and set. He talked about her constantly, joked about her often, and respected her infinitely. She was always with him in his heart.

As father to Chad and Jennifer, Joe always took the time to listen to whatever was happening in their lives. He often struggled not to give advice until he felt they were ready to hear it. He loved them deeply and told them so every time they talked. Their children, Joe's grandchildren, were the light of his life and had more to do with he and Carolyn moving back to Dallas than anything else. His desire to instill in them character, integrity and the love of Jesus was one of his main concerns.

Having no siblings and having lost his parents at a very young age, Carolyn's family was his family. He adored her parents, her brothers and sister, their wives and their children. His favorite vacation was the family trip, fly fishing in Colorado every year. His face lit up like a kid at a parade when he reminisced about their time together.

In business, Joe had two sayings that he lived by: conduct your sales campaigns as if they would be reported in your mother's hometown newspaper, and don't ever offer a contract that you would not accept. He knew how to make the person on the other side of the table feel valued. His sense of fairness served him well as client after client returned to him for assistance. Joe was on the phone doing business less than five days before he entered the hospital for the last time.

There is no one who had more friends than Joe Terry. He was universally loved by everyone with whom he came in contact. When you were with him, you were his best friend. His only concern was your well being. As in business, his personal philosophy was summed up in two maxims: trust everyone until they prove they can't be trusted, and when you realize the character of a person, set your expectations accordingly and take them for who they are. With this in mind, Joe was not judgmental, although he knew how to discern the truth and share it with you in love. In summary, one of his friends said that "Joe was a force of nature." All his friends aspired to be more like him.

The polycystic kidney disease that ultimately took Joe's life is hereditary. His father died of it when Joe was just four. His daughter, Jennifer, has had already her kidneys removed and is currently on the donor transplant waitlist. It is likely that her son, Jaxson, also will be affected. In lieu of flowers, the family has identified three meaningful ways to pay tribute to Joe's memory. 1) Donations can be made to a special fund for Jennifer and Jaxson. Carolyn has opened an account at KeyWorth Bank in Johns Creek, Georgia, which she will administer for the financial hardships that this dreaded infection is surely to cause. Donations may be sent to Joe Terry PKD Memorial Fund, c/o KeyWorth Bank, 9925 Haynes Bridge Rd. Suite 100, Johns Creek, Georgia 30022. 2) Donate to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation in Joe's name to http://www.pkdcure.org/Donate/DonateinHonororMemory.aspx and 3) Register as an organ donor, a cause that, as a three time recipient, was so dear to Joe's heart http://organdonor.gov/donor/registry.shtm.

The family will receive friends at an Evening of Remembrance on Monday, November 29, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. A memorial service honoring Joe's life will be held on December 17 at 2:00 PM at Mount Pisgah Methodist Church in the North Campus Sanctuary. The address is 2850 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30022.