Grogan Terrell “Terry” Mack passed on Friday, February 12, 2021. Our family grieves his loss, but know he is in a better place than we are at this time. We are a family of faith, and we believe that he is safe with God. He joins members of his family that have gone on before and have welcomed him with joy and open arms.
These include his beloved father, Hobson Metz Mack and his mother, Maude Ethel Daniel Mack; his brothers Hobson D. Mack and Robert Mack, and his sister, Mary Maude Mack. Terry is survived by his only daughter Barbara Ann Mack Nichols, and her spouse, Troy K. Nichols of Georgetown, Texas. His legacy continues with two grandchildren: Natalie Nichols Wyll and Nolan Nichols and their spouses. He has three great-grandchildren including Levi Nichols, Lucy Nichols, and Wyatt Nichols.
Terry was born in Fort Worth, Texas on July 17, 1936. As a young child, he and his siblings played at his grandparents, L.O. Daniel’s, home in the Oak Cliff neighborhood which now bears his name in Dallas, Texas. Terry grew up when vast stretches of farmland separated these two distinct cities. Fort Worth always held his heart, and he had great adventures in his beloved Cowtown. He lived in several neighborhoods in East Fort Worth. One of his favorite stories was riding an Indian motorcycle with his school friend, Donald Raspberry, to play at a dairy farm off of the Turnpike, which is now IH30.
Terry attended Polytechnic Senior High School where he was a member of the track & field team and participated in pole-vaulting. This seems a fitting sport for Terry, because while he was easy-going and friendly, Terry was a solitary sole. He had an incredible work ethic, and as a teen delivered papers in Fort Worth. Terry often made friends while working, and one of the neighborhood dogs tagged along on his entire route. Some of his favorite companions came with four paws. There was never a luckier animal than one who ended up in his care. He cared for his pets with 110% of his heart and felt his life was richer for having them in it.
After marrying Margaret Sue Wright in 1961, he had a daughter, Barbara Ann, who he doted over until his passing. Both Terry and Sue worked at the family grocery story, Mack’s Grocery in Grand Prairie, Texas until in closed in the late 1960’s. Both he and Sue were fans of country music. Its sincerity and simplicity appealed to his very nature. He was particularly fond of Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Sr., Charlie Pride, and Lorretta Lynn.
Terry’s most defining qualities were is quiet spirit and kind disposition. His patience was never-ending, but he liked the excitement of a racetrack and the beauty of the horses. He loved to watch sports, particularly baseball, and his favorite team was the Houston Astros. One of his favorite vacations was to see the newly built Astrodome in Houston. In 2016, Barbara and Terry had another baseball adventure to see David Ortiz’s final game with the Boston Redsox and continued to Vermont for ice cream and to soak up the fall splendor. Terry had a remarkable memory and could tell you all the stats on any of the players.
Many of our family’s fondest memories were made during the summers on vacations that he planned with his whole heart. He single-handedly showed his daughter that the world was a big and beautiful place full of grand adventure. A road trip to Mexico City in the 1960’s in a mint-green Mustang. A flight taken though the Grand Canyon when planes were still allowed to dip down below the rim. He enjoyed traveling until his passing, planning adventures to new places. He was particularly looking forward to attending his grandson Nolan’s graduation in the Massachusetts in 2021.
He was ahead of his time in the things he believed. He was a die-hard Democrat and believed Texas would be Blue again. He loved to be around people but was equally happy alone. He loved outdoor spaces and was a fierce believer in protecting areas for wildlife. He often summed up complex issues with simple statements. “We don’t need another mall; we need a place for the birds.” He lived simply and was happy. He was fiscally independent, yet incredibly generous.
In closing, our family would like to thank his close friend, Jacki Loyall; she was the truest of friends and made his final few years all the more rich. One of his favorite outings with Jacki was to the Second Chance Animal Services in Granbury, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations to this organization would honor Terry and his lifelong love of animals. (www.secondchanceanimals.org) We would also like to thank the Sunny Woods community - there is not a better group of folks than those who were Terry's neighbors.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
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