Terry Joe Gibson was born August 19, 1947, in Sparks, Kansas, the oldest of two sons born to Charles W. “Bill” and Marjorie J. “Jean” Dawson Gibson. He passed away peacefully August 1, 2026 with family (and Millie) by his side at his Highland home.
Terry grew up in Highland, Kansas, attending primary school and graduating high school in 1965. He met the love of his life while in high school and married Doris Ellen Brook October 28, 1966. They were blessed with four children and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary before Doris was called home on July 28, 2022.
The day their first child was born Terry received his draft papers for the Vietnam War. Though Terry only served one tour in Vietnam, during that year he received an Army Commendation, became a Platoon Leader, earned a Purple Heart, a Gold Star, 2 Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, A Vietnamese Medal of Valor and Medal of Honor, discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Terry never boasts about his accomplishments during that time, if asked, he would simply say ‘he did what he had to do’ and credited strength and work ethic to his upbringing.
When he returned home, he began a lifelong career in the Agricultural Fertilizer industry. He helped build, manage, and work fertilizer plants like Valley Grain and Fertilizer, Con Agra, and United Suppliers in St. Joseph, MO and spent three years with United Grain and Fertilizer out of Belleville, KS. He was one of the first few men in the area to use aircraft to spread fertilizer.
When Terry was younger, he loved to hunt, fish, camp and go boating. He’d venture to Canada and Colorado with his friends to fish and hunt and later spend summer days on the Wolf and Missouri Rivers, floating downstream or hanging out on sand bars with his family.
After retiring, Terry stayed even busier, serving on the Highland Cemetery Board, being a Commissioner on the Highland City Council, participated with the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard, and a member of Smithton Lodge #1, AF&AM of Highland. He loved to take off with his metal detector and his dog Millie and spend hours looking for bits of history and of course treasure!
Although he was never on the payroll you could always find him helping the city crew or the cemetery crew. Mowing, patching potholes, moving snow, helping fix broken water pipes, hoisting and removing flags, the list goes on, and right beside him-riding shotgun-was Millie. If they ever got separated Millie knew exactly where to go look for him.
Terry is survived by his children: Yvette (Kent) Denton, Peggy Siebenmorgen, Aaron Gibson, and Brook (Jason) Foland; his grandchildren: Wyatt Denton, Nicholas (Machaela) Siebenmorgen, Terri Jean (Matt) Dougherty, Kyra and Hadley Foland, Levi and Luke Gibson, and Cooper Quinn. His brother Chris (Trish) Gibson also survives, with several nieces, nephews and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Jean; his wife Doris, and grandson Josua Torkelson.
A celebration of Terry’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland, with David Welch officiating. Private inurnment at later date at Highland Cemetery. Masonic Committal Services a courtesy of Smithton Lodge #1. Military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Thursday.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Cemetery or HCat (Highland Farmers Market) sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland 66025.
www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
