Terry Lee Gaddis

From a young age, Terry felt a calling to serve others and his country—a calling that would shape every part of his life. The first chapter of his military career was spent in the United States Army, where his service took him to places including Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and Fort Wainwright, Alaska. After completing his Army service in Alaska, Terry felt a desire to find a new way to serve his community.

Little did he know that volunteering at a local fire department would change the entire direction of his life.

Terry became a firefighter with Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue just outside Fairbanks. When the department needed firefighters with emergency medical training, Terry answered that call as well. He became a basic EMT and later an advanced EMT.

After meeting his wife, Carol Ann, Terry moved to Palmer, Alaska, where he began working for TransCare Ambulance Company. His desire to help others continued to grow, along with his skills and dedication to emergency medicine. In his early forties, Terry became a paramedic, a profession he would continue for the rest of his career.

Terry spent the final 27 years of his career serving the people of Evansville, Indiana, with American Medical Response (AMR). At AMR, he was known for his professionalism, his commitment to teaching and mentoring new EMTs, and, most importantly, the exceptional care he provided to his patients. He was affectionately known by his coworkers as "Grandpa Gaddis," a term he reluctantly accepted, but grew to fondly appreciate.

During his years at AMR, Terry was honored with the American Ambulance Association’s Star of Life Award, recognizing, in part, his ability to perform difficult procedures under tremendous pressure and his dedication to the patients he served.

In 1991, Terry also returned to military service, joining the Air National Guard and later the Air Force Reserve. He continued that service for another 24 years, serving throughout those years as an Aerospace Medical Technician in Flight Medicine. In service, he provided humanitarian aid in remote areas of Alaska and Guatemala and was deployed to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.

Terry spent his entire life answering the call to serve. He served his country. He served his community. He served his patients. And ultimately, he served the people he loved.

Terry was a quiet presence and often a man of few words—until someone got him talking about his military days or one of his many medical stories. Then, there was usually a story to tell.

Those who knew Terry well also knew that beneath his quiet exterior was a man who loved to have fun. He was a cut-up who could find joy in the simplest things. He enjoyed trying on Halloween masks in the store, pushing every button on the Christmas decorations just to see what they would do, and, perhaps most of all, he loved food. These simple moments brought him great joy and are among the memories his family will treasure.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Ruby Gaddis.

As a loving father and devoted husband, Terry is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; his daughters, Tonya (Blake) Bernier, Amy (Jason) Mincey and Adam Gaddis; and his three grandchildren, Kayla Mincey, Cody Mincey, and Noah Bernier. He is also survived by his sister, Lena Gaddis; and his brothers, Johnny Ray (June) Gaddis and Anthony (Michelle) Gaddis.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue in Evansville with a vigil service beginning at 7:00 pm.

Visitation will continue at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road in Evansville with a memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 am officiated by Father Bernie Etienne. Terry's memorial Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/c/HolyRosaryCatholicChurchEVV.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jacob's Village, a walkable neighborhood that accommodates adults with disabilities. Contributions may also be made online at https://jacobsvillage.org.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com