Terry L. Warner

Each of us faces challenges in our lives, challenges that can often consume us, define us, or defeat us. Terry Warner was a man who faced his challenges head-on, defying them, not being defined by them. He was a devoted son and brother, loving father and faithful friend to many, but most of all, Terry was a man who lived his life to the fullest, and always lived it full-throttle.

Terry's story began on a cold January day in 1951, a time of challenges and changes in this country. Many of our young soldiers had returned home victorious from World War II, anxious to claim their share of the American Dream they'd fought so hard for, giving birth to the Baby Boomer generation. A new conflict was being fought overseas, the Korean Conflict, while the Cold War's chill was just beginning. But here in the town of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Robert and Helen (Joslin) Warner were preparing a celebration, anxiously awaiting the birth of their second child. On a cold, snowy Tuesday on January 30, 1951, the couple welcomed a baby boy, a son they named Terry.

Terry's parents were hardworking people, who provided for their family by working at the Sutherland Paper Company, now known as the James River Paper Company. Besides his older brother Robert, Terry eventually gained a baby sister, Lou. Although he was the middle child, Terry was forever protective of his brother and sister.

Terry was a very happy-go-lucky child, always a good boy but very rambunctious, giving his mother fits - full throttle, remember. Terrry had a lifelong love of sports, fostered at an early age while playing Little League baseball in the Milwood Little League. As a youngster Terry also loved spending time with his family at the Milham Park Zoo.

He attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, and graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1969. That same year, though, Terry was faced with his greatest challenge, when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Undaunted by the disease, which thankfully was progressing very slowly, Terry followed his parents' career path to the paper company. He worked at the James River Paper Company for the next 22 years, until his MS finally forced him to stop working.

In between, Terry lived life at full speed, and pursued his passion for drag racing. He was a member of the NHRA, and raced a dragster at Martin U.S. 131 Dragway with his closest racing friend, Cliff Kiracofe. More than anywhere, Terry loved being at the dragway. He loved the competition, and the anticipation of that light turning green, then tearing off down the strip, his enormous engine roaring full throttle behind him. Eventually, Terry stopped racing, in the mid-1980s, but his passion for the sport stayed with him throughout his life.

Terry found many other loves in his life, though. He married a woman named Karla Kay Bell in the early 1980s, giving Terry a family of his own. Karla brought her son Justin into the relationship, and together they welcomed two wonderful children, Terry Jr., and Abbie, which filled Terry's life with so much happiness. Terry and Karla divorced after 15 years, but his children remained important parts of his life.

All of Terry's family members were important to him, though, and he bowled for many years with his father and brother as a three-man team. Terry loved bowling, and together the Warner boys bowled in many different alleys over the years. It wasn't quite drag-racing, but Terry loved the competition and the camaraderie with his family all the same.

When he wasn't racing or bowling, Terry loved to go to concerts, and was a big fan of the classic rock from the '60s and '70s. The Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones ... Terry loved them all, and a live show was one of his favorite events.

Of course, Terry loved the simpler things in life, as well, from a good game on TV (he loved just about all sports), an old Western movie, or his favorite show, Charlie's Angels (he absolutely loved Jacqueline Smith!). He loved to sit down with some of his favorite snacks, hotdogs, bologna sandwiches, Oreo Cookies and apples, wash it down with a Sprite, and enjoy the game - or Jacqueline Smith - on TV. Even drag racers need a pit stop once in awhile.

Terry had many loves, and there were so many who loved Terry. He had a tremendous sense of humor, and was a great practical joker. And he was also as fun-loving and honest a man as you'd ever meet, a man who never cheated anyone.

Terry never cheated himself, either. He was a man who always faced his challenges head-on, who made the most of his time with us. Sadly, Terry died June 12, 2006, after his long struggle with MS, but he never let it define him, never let it beat him. Terry lived his life to the fullest, a life full of family, and fun, and friendship, and so fittingly, full-throttle. He will be greatly missed.

Terry L. Warner, age 55 of Galesburg, died June 12, 2006 at the Laurels of Galesburg after a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Terry was born January 30, 1951 in Kalamazoo to Robert & Helen (Joslin) Warner. Learn more about Terry, view his Life Story digital film and visit with his family and friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane at Milham, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. Terry was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Warner, on October 23, 1999. Members of Terry's family include his children, Terry Warner, Jr. and Abbie Warner; his mother, Helen Hall; sister, Lou (Scott) Harpe; brother, Robert (Mary) Warner; stepson, Justin Bell; nieces, Krystal Froats and Kelly Wiser, and a nephew Joshua Harpe. Please visit Terry's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory, or sign the guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of SW Michigan or the Laurels of Galesburg. Terry's family extends a special thank you to the hospice and nursing home staff's for all of the love and care extended to Terry and his family.