Keith A. Terry

Our beloved Keith passed away on January 19, 2013. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, February 2nd at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines, with a celebration of his life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Willow Creek Golf Course banquet room.

He is survived by his mother, Debbie Stuber (James Demanovich); father, Delbert Terry; sisters, Jennifer Kawecki (Jim Kawecki, Jaxon and Maddox) and Barbie Terry; grandparents, Bill and Vera Parent; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and truly wonderful friends.

Keith had recently made the decision to help other people by becoming an organ donor. It gives us peace and comfort to know that he already has and will continue to help many people with his selfless gifts.

Keith's latest passion was scuba diving. He had a recent opportunity in Jamaica with his love, Alexis, to enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean from the depths below. He commented about the tranquility and beauty of being under water and of course, in Keith-like style, embraced the danger of the unknown. His dear brother-in-law, Jim Kawecki, hit the nail on the head when he said that Keith lived loud and proud with no apologies.

He was introduced to the sea in the time spent with his dear friend, Lance Meadows, aboard the Riggin. Our thanks go out to the owners and crew of Riggin, for their part in that happy time in Keith's life. We are heartened by the outpouring of affection for Keith from people literally all over the world that he touched.

The poem below was offered by a friend in Des Moines that we'd like to share. There are no words to describe the empty space in our hearts, but we hope that these words will offer some peace and comfort.

In Memory of Keith Terry

Don't grieve for me now, I am free,

All the nightmares have disappeared.

I am following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh,

to love, to work, or play,

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I have found the place I need to be,

No more villains haunting me.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it up with remembered joy;

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life has been brief, yet I savored much,

good friends, good times and loved ones touched.

Perhaps my time seemed all too short.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

what God has done has set me free.