Terry Lee Quinalty

Terry Lee Quinalty was born to Geraldine, a homemaker, and J.D., a small business owner and veteran of D-Day, in Chula Vista, CA on July 12, 1950. His childhood spanned many cities and towns in California, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Washington, where he took an interest in architecture and politics.

In 1969, Terry voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction in the Vietnam War. Sergeant Quinalty served in the 198th Light Infantry Brigade of the 23rd Infantry “Americal” Division (including under the command of then-Lieutenant Colonel Norman Schwarzkopf) as the liaison to the Son Tinh District, where he earned a Bronze Star and was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1971, Terry moved to Las Vegas, NV. He became an accomplished craps dealer, including at Binion’s Horseshoe and the MGM Grand. In 1972, he met the love of his life, Lu-Nan (aka Lu or Gallena), while they were both working at the Four Queens casino, and later that year they wed. Terry and Lu welcomed their first and only child, David Benjamin, to the world in 1979. Terry would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1980.

Later in 1980, a new job at McDonnell Douglas took Terry and his family to Long Beach, CA. They would make a home on Lees Avenue, where he lived until his passing. In California, Terry worked as a systems analyst in the aerospace and business services industries, retiring in 2015. Terry’s passions in life included his family, music, technology, America, photography, his neighborhood in Long Beach, and Formula One. Baptized as a Southern Baptist as a child, identifying as a Buddhist during his time in the Army, and exploring the world’s religions, Terry’s spiritual journey was characterized by curiosity and thoughtfulness, with him renewing his faith in Christ later in life.

Terry passed away at home on December 3, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Lu; his son, David; and his sister, Trudy Ann. Terry was predeceased by his parents, Geraldine and J.D.; his brother, Michael Wayne; and his best canine companion, Tanner.

A memorial service, brief graveside ceremony, and celebration of life reception will be held for Terry on December 18, 2022, at 10:00am at Pacific View Mortuary and Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made "In Memory of Terry Quinalty" to either the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org).