Terry Ray Atkinson, 75, of Galena Missouri, formerly of Manhattan Kansas, died Sunday, January 9th, 2022.
Terry was born in White City Kansas on October 31st, 1946, to Wilbur “Bud” Atkinson and Leah (Trowbridge) Atkinson. He graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City Kansas and from Emporia State Teachers College in Emporia Kansas with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Terry joined the United States Army, 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles), and served his country in the Vietnam Conflict.
Following his service in the military, Terry moved to Manhattan Kansas and worked for Parker Hannifin for 26 years, retiring in 2009. During this time, he also owned and operated Tuttle Creek Water Company.
Terry was an outdoorsman. He loved camping, hunting, and fishing. Terry was an Eagle Scout and shared his passion for scouting with his sons. He was active in scouting for several years, even after his children had grown. Terry was a Troop Leader and later became Troop Master of Troop 223.
Terry was a proud Veteran and did his best to honor his fellow Veterans. He took them to medical appointments, helped with their errands, and swapped stories. Terry volunteered for Good Shepherd Hospice and took great pride in presenting flags to veterans. He kept in touch with many of his Vietnam Buddies and looked forward to their reunions each year to reminisce.
Terry married Wanda (Emch) Miller. They were later divorced. He then got lucky and met a woman who loved camping and fishing almost as much as he did. Terry and Janell Ledford were married on May 7th, 1983. Every summer they would take their kids on vacation to Lake Norfolk in Mountain Home Arkansas or Council Grove Lake, spending hours teaching the kids, and later their grandchildren, to water ski, tube, scuba dive, and fish. It was Terry’s dream to have a home on the lake and they moved to Table Rock Lake in Galena Missouri in 2016.
Terry is survived by his loving wife Janell and children: Wendy Hudson (Mark Jack) of Westmoreland Kansas, Brady Atkinson (Sascha Wolfe) of Junction City Kansas, Casey Atkinson (Mary) of Wamego Kansas, Mark Harvey of Laguna Niguel California, Chris Harvey (Christina) of Manhattan Kansas and Tony Harvey of Louisville Kentucky; Their grandchildren: Garrett Hudson, Mark Jack, Jessica Jack, Charli Wolfe, Kelsi Atkinson Nelson (Kyle), Jacob Atkinson, Samantha Harvey, Tyler Harvey, Terra Harvey, Jackson Harvey, Landon Harvey, Elizabeth Harvey and 2 great-grandchildren, Cedric and Daffodil. He’s survived by his sisters: Peggy Butterfield (Steve Custer) of Leavenworth Kansas and Penny Taylor (Gary) of Kansas City Kansas. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud & Leah, and infant brother, Donald Lee, and nephews, Kable Butterfield, and Wesley Overturf.
Visitation will be at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego on Sunday, January 16th from 4 until 8 p.m. Celebration of Life will be at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home on Monday, January 17th at 1 p.m. followed by burial with Full Military Honor at White City Cemetery. A reception will follow at the White City Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Terry’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospice, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home.