Terry Lynn Scott

Terry L. Scott, age 71, born November 5, 1947. Terry, an only child, attended Southeast High School, graduated from Wichita State, served in the United States Air Force flying the C141 in and out of Viet Nam and spent 30 years in the field of Information Technology. Terry and his wife of 49 years, in their journey together, traversed the United States from coast to coast and overseas to England, Europe and Scandinavia. In 2015 Terry was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia with speech aphasia and God finally called him home on October 14, 2019. Terry is survived by his wife, June Scott (Woodard); brother-in-Law, Dick Peel; three nieces, Kim Slay, April Blackman, Kori Dorton and their families. Preceded in death by parents, Glenn and Helen Scott. Celebration of Life Service for Terry Scott will be held on Thursday, October 24th, 2pm at Metro East Baptist Church, 333 N. 143rd St E., Wichita Kansas. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to, Alzheimer Association, 1820 E. Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214.

Terry's Bio

While a Single child to Glenn and Helen Scott, Terry was not a spoiled child. And as he lived life, he made a lot of close friends whom became his brothers; Bob Lancastor and Mike Allen from childhood, Tim Neff, George Humphreys Tom Scott and Wayne Wright from High School and Jon Kincheloe from College. These men were Terry’s family throughout his life

I think God meant for Terry and June to be soul mates. He gave both of them a glimpse of each other way before they thought about whom they might marry; Sort of planting the seed. When they were sophomores in high school, June attended a swim meet and Terry was diving. She remembers thinking what a handsome guy he was, it made an impression on her, but she was more interested in a senior at the time, so didn’t think anymore about it. That same year, June worked in the office and picked up absentee slips around the school. One of the classrooms on her schedule was Terry’s and he remembers seeing June and having the same thought, she’s cute. But Terry was very shy and didn’t think June would be interested in dating him.

They finally had their first date the end of their junior year. June asked Phil Ganzer, a grade school friend, to ask Terry to ask her out. Terry got up the nerve to ask June and the rest is history, as they say.

They were married in January of 1970 and started their life in Laredo, TX where Terry attended flight school. During his military service, Terry was assigned to Travis AFB where he flew C141s in and out of Viet Nam. He was gone a lot but June was lucky enough to get a teaching job at the base High School, so that kept her busy. They made good friends with Bob and Chris Olsen from Seattle Washington, also stationed at Travis, who were influential in their decision to move to Seattle.

Terry’s time in the military honed his strength in courage, leadership, adaptability and responsibility that would serve him well throughout his life. Being the Captain of an aircraft with crew usually older and more experienced was a challenge that not everyone handled well. But Terry was an unassuming guy and people liked him. He respected his crew and valued their service. Missions that were scheduled for a week often turned into 2 weeks making planning a nightmare (talk about adaptability!). He had to negotiate some treacherous conditions that tested his courage and flying skills; trying to land his aircraft in hurricane weather, getting bounced around by unavoidable thunderstorms, flying in zero visibility. This went on for 4 years.

While a lot of the Air Force pilots transitioned to Air Lines, Terry was not interested in that life style. So he reinvented himself by taking computer classes and this added skill and knowledge took them to England. Terry headed up the London office for a Boston software company that wanted to expand into Europe. While the position was primarily sales, Terry’s ability to understand the software made him ideal. He had 5 young English men and women who assisted him and he became their mentor. It was an incredible 3 years of experiencing a different culture and making some wonderful friends. All those traits needed for being a successful Captain of an aircraft were used in managing the London office.

It was not all work and no play. They enjoyed London and surrounds and took advantage of their time there: Lots of week-end trips to castles and Inns, ruins and museums, events and parties. This position also included business travel to other countries which June would tag along when she could; Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden. Some of their best vacations were during this time; Skiing in the French Alps, hiking in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean Sea around the Greek Islands.

From this fairytale time in England, they returned to the States and the next 8 years were the hardest of their lives. Terry went from job to job unhappy and unsatisfied. June went back to school and then sat for the CPA exam. We moved 5 times, 4 different States and essentially were ships passing in the night. Finally, while Terry was on one of his marathon sales trips, sitting in the airport trying to get home, he had a “come to Jesus” moment. What was he doing with his life? He hated the travel and he hated his jobs in sales. God told him he was killing himself and he needed to stop. So he did. He quit his job, brushed up his computer knowledge and began to teach computer technology classes which finally got him back on the right track.

They were living in Boston by now and decided it was time to go somewhere else. That turned out to be Seattle WA and for the next 18 years, they worked, played, traveled and best of all found Jesus in their lives. And in fact Jesus (using Laura Allen) brought them back to retire in Wichita. They were looking for where they wanted to retire and Laura said, “Why don’t you come to Wichita where your friends and family live?” Good Question. They did and it was the best decision of their lives. This is where Terry’s “family” lived and became an important support group for both of them as Terry struggled through his dementia and speech aphasia.

The first 3 years back in Wichita were wonderful as they adjusted to a slower pace, rekindled friendships and placed God squarely in their lives. Then in 2015 Terry was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) with speech aphasia. June can only say that as terrible as this condition is, robbing her of her soul mate, turning her into a mother to her husband, God has never been more prevalent in her life. He guided June every step of the way bringing people and solutions to her just as she needed them most. What a loving God!!

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to assist in death.

• Tim and Susan Neff have been along this ride with Terry and June from the day they drove into Wichita. If she enumerated all the kindnesses they extended, she could write a book. All June can say is thank God, they are in her life!

• A stranger new to Wichita became a dear friend of June’s, Elise Pavelka, who also knows how dementia changes your life and they commiserated on how to cope with their loved one and themselves during this challenge

• Holly Root gave massages for Terry and June and provided wonderful advice and recommended others that turned out to be awesome people for helping Terry on this journey

o Linda Myers, personal trainer, kept Terry in shape and walking much longer than he would have otherwise

o Shelly Kirksey, wonder woman care giver, bathed, feed, and assisted in all the basics of life in such a caring way. Tiffini Von Fange and later Angie Straughter Terry’s other care givers each contributed such sweet care to Terry. June appreciates them so much

Last but not least by any means are the prayers known and unknown from friends, family, Bible Study, Pastor Mark. June knew without a doubt she was sustained by these prayers. Praise be to God!