Thomas H. Terko

Thomas Howard Terko was born June 8, 1950 in Washington, DC. He was the son of Howard and Mary Terko. He had fond memories of the time spent during his childhood visiting his grandparents in Niverville, NY, and growing up in the Wheaton, MD area where he talked about squirrel hunting where the Glenmont Shopping Center now resides.

Tom graduated from Wheaton High School, class of 1969 and furthered his education at a trade school in Baltimore where he learned auto mechanics. He spent his career working for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation where he was a supervisor. After retirement, he started and auto body shop in Hyattsville and worked part time at Bratton’s Auto Parts in Mt. Airy.

He was an avid gun collector and at one time owned a variety of firearms. He was sharpshooter at the Greenbelt Gun Club, where he was an active member.

Tom was also an avid antique auto collector, but he had a particular affinity for Model A and Model T Fords. His favorite was his 1927 Model T Roadster that was just like the car his grandfather owned and the car he learned to drive with. He also owned an award-winning 1929 Model A Ford Town Sedan, along with 2 other early model Fords. He was an active member of many local Ford Model A and T clubs and found purpose in helping the other members of those car clubs work on their cars. He was also active in helping to organize events and run those car clubs.

The last few years he spoke of the great times and fond memories he had volunteering to help set up and run the antiques/old timers section of the MoCo Fair. He was an active member of the Friends of the Montgomery County Farm Park.

Although we never completed it, he also worked to obtain his pilot’s license.

Tom lived a very full and active life and found joy in helping others. He never did anything for anyone with the expectation of getting something in return and always tried to give more than he got. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Carol, son Ryan and a granddaughter, Mia (who was the light of his life), and numerous cousins and other family members.