Terry Joe Adamson

TERRY JOE ADAMSON passed away peacefully and left this earth to be with our Lord on October 15, 2021 at the age of 64. Terry was a kind, honorable and loving man, very devoted to his wife, Gayle, and to his parents, Rosie and Joe, and two brothers, Tom and Bob and their children. He has left us deeply saddened by our loss.

Terry was born in El Dorado, Kansas on January 6, 1957 as the eldest of three sons and one daughter of Joe and Rosie Adamson. Terry spent most of his adolescent years in Salina, Kansas and during that time, was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, the Aviation Explorers and the Salina High School South Debate Team, prior to graduating from high school in 1975. Terry then went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University in 1979, while also becoming a member of the U.S. Air Force ROTC. Terry later earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma and began his 36-year career in the oil and gas industry in 1980 in Oklahoma City with Amoco Production Company, which later became part of BP America Production Company. Over the years, Terry held various high-level positions in the environmental and regulatory areas of BP in Oklahoma City and Denver until being transferred to Houston in 1996 as Manager of Global Regulatory Services. Throughout his career, Terry held various positions in Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Environmental Management and ultimately, advanced to be Director of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance for the lower-48 onshore North America region of BP. Terry was also a member and served on the board of various oil & gas organizations, including the Oklahoma Energy Regulatory Board, as well as serving as chairman of the Oklahoma Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association and the Public Outreach Committee of Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. Terry retired in 2016 to enjoy the hobbies that he loved -- aviation, fishing and marksmanship. Terry’s love of aviation was a lifelong passion that he was able to derive much pleasure from after he retired. In 2003, Terry met his future wife, Gayle in Houston and was happily married for 15 years. Terry had so many exceptional qualities and accomplishments, but he was most proud of and dedicated to being a devout Christian. His strong faith in the Lord gave him unwavering strength and tenacity, especially during the last few years of his life. Terry will be deeply and forever missed by many, but most especially by his family and will be remembered for his quiet dignity, strength and generosity. He was truly a good and honorable man.

Terry is survived by his wife, Gayle, his mother, Rosie, his brothers Tom and Bobby Joe, and their children and grandchildren. A private memorial service for family will be held at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home on October 20, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Terry’s name to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the SPCA. Condolences may be offered at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com.