Terrence Ray Leighty

Terry was the 3rd of 4 children by Bernetta and Ray Leighty who have both preceded him in death. He was born March 31, 1947 in Cumberland, MD. Schooled and raised in Mount Savage, a historic iron rail town nestled in the Allegheny foothills, with his sister Shelba and baby brother Wayne. He also had an older sister, Patricia who passed as an infant before he was born.

At 19, with war being waged in Vietnam, Terry answered his country’s call and volunteered to enlist in the United States Air Force.

His tour in Vietnam lasted for 7 months, during which time he repaired, and maintained his beloved F-4C Phantom II fighter jets, in Cam Ranh Bay, ‘Paradise of the South China Sea’.

There he served as a “booger-hooker” in the highest regard, his efforts allowed the US to maintain air superiority as well as suppressing support for troops on the ground. He later spent time living in South Korea, Germany, Italy, and Sardinia. All told, 12 different countries and 27 States visited during his time in the military. He retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 1/2 years of service.

Post military, he used his expertise and experience of aviation maintenance in careers with Eastern Airlines, UPS, and Southwest Airlines, managing major maintenance responsibilities for fleets of 747, 757, and 767’s on a global scale.

His favorite thing to do was without a doubt fishing! Preferably on his Ranger bass boat, but he wasn’t picky, any ol’ kind of fishing would do.

He also found joy in the simple pleasure of a good conversation. Politics, weather, the art of proper lawn care, or better yet — the Washington Redskins. His loyalty to the Redskins never wavered, and neither did his playful disdain for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a true Hogette through and through.

Above all of this, he LOVED his family!

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Leighty; his 5 children, Melissa (Francisco) Esparza, TR Leighty, Rob (Meghan) Thuss, James (Tiffany) Thuss, and Ashley (Cody) Hatzman; his 14 cherished grandchildren Paige, Taylor, Emerson, Brayden, Rayleigh, Wyatt, Waylon, Nathan, Naomi, Cara, Adam, Benjamin, Elliana, and William; his siblings Shelba (Elwood) Porter and Wayne (Kate/Mary Kay) Leighty and many nieces and nephews.

Whether you called him Sir, Terry, Terrence, Friend, Brother, Uncle, Honey, Babe, Dad, Pops, BIL, FIL, Pap or Pappy… you’d probably find it hard to imagine a man as capable of making more numerous, impactful, beloved, and deeply held relationships; even if given twice as many years on this earth.

If you were blessed to witness any part of his beautiful life, we grieve with you… but also invite you to carry his joyful spirit within you always.