Dr. Terry Dalton Rees

Terry Dalton Rees was born on July 27, 1934 in Hattiesburg, MS, and passed away on November 15, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Lacy and Myrna Gay Rees; his sister, Lacy Rees Baker; and his son, William Andrew. Terry is survived by his wife, Greta Bo Childress Rees; his sons, John Mark, David (Kristina), Matthew (Melinda), Benjamin Rees; and his daughter, Mary Cecile Rees; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Terry attended Central High School & Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, TN, acquiring a Doctor of Dentistry Degree in 1957 and Certificate in Periodontics in June 1969. Terry enlisted in the United States Army Dental Corps in 1957. He served as a dental officer in Fort Benning, GA, Camp Kaiser, South Korea, Fort Sam Houston Texas, the Medical Field Service School, and was subsequently selected for graduate training in Periodontics at Baylor College of Dentistry and Brooke Army Medical Center, graduating in 1969. His next assignments were Landstuhl Army Medical Center, Germany 1969-1972 and Fort Jackson, SC. He served as clinic chief, periodontist, and director of dental education at both of those assignments. In 1977 he was selected to serve as Commander of the Dental Activity at Fort Huachuca, AZ, 1977-1980, followed by command service at Fort Bliss, TX (1980-1983) and at Fort Hood, TX the largest dental activity in the US Army (1983-1984). He retired as a Colonel after 27 years of active duty with the Army Dental Corps in August 1984 and began his career as a tenured professor at Baylor College of Dentistry in September 1984. His initial responsibility was to establish and direct the Stomatology Center within the department of Periodontics. This center has had a unique and highly successful history of ensuing years as a referral site for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with unusual and often rare mouth diseases and disorders. He became Chair of the Department of Periodontics in 1988 and retained that position until stepping down in 2001 although he continued as Director of the Stomatology Center. Terry was highly thought of by his students and colleagues at Baylor College of Dentistry and the Texas AM College of Dentistry. He published over 200 scientific papers, texts, text chapters, and mentored over 40 graduate students in periodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, and other dental specialties. He was awarded Periodontics Outstanding Teacher recognition by the American Academy of College Dentistry. Terry was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists American Academy of Periodontology. In addition he was a member of many professional and scholarly societies including, the European Association of Military Periodontists, the American Academy Dental Research and the International Association of Dental Research, the Southwest Society of Science award and Omicron Kappa Upsilon as an outstanding leader in Dentistry. He served as Chairman of the American Board of Periodontology, President of the European Association of Military Periodontists and the Southwest Society of Periodontics.

Terry possessed a quiet strength rooted in humility. Always patient, understanding, gentle, and kind to patients, medical and dental colleagues, students, family, friends, and strangers. In the words of a former resident, “A man like Terry only comes along once in a century.” A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 4:30pm at the Northridge Presbyterian Church, 6920 Bob O Link Dr., Dallas, Texas 75214. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Terry Rees Endowed Chair in Stomatology, Texas AM College of Dentistry, 3302 Gaston Ave, Dallas, Texas 75246, or the Northridge Presbyterian Church.