Joseph Chad Terry

Our loving father, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend passed away April 25, 2024.

Joseph Chad Terry was born on May 11, 1929, in Murray, Utah to Thelma Van Wagoner Witt Terry and James Garfield Terry. He was raised on the family farm in Draper, Utah.  He attended Draper Park School and Jordan High School, graduating in 1947. Chad was an obedient son and grew to be a great hard working young man. He modeled his life after his two older half-brothers, Grant and Dean Witt, who he greatly admired. 

Chad was a professional horse jockey beginning at age 12. He won the leading jockey in the Payson Onion Days of 1944, but felt he was unlucky because the usual presentation of a silver cup, filled with silver dollars, to the winner was not done. Once Chad turned 15, he had grown so tall he was considered too big to ride and his jockey days were done. But his hard work continued and at 18, he worked for a man in Cedar Valley helping with his sheep, horses and cattle. 

Chad loved nice cars and motorcycles. He kept his cars meticulously clean and maintained, inside and out. While cruising Lehi, Utah - in one of his spiffy cars - he met his future bride, Lois Meryl Willes. His car full of boys followed a group of girls for a few blocks before they agreed to hop in the car for a ride. The rest was history. They dated while Lois was in high school and married when Chad was called into the service with the U.S. Army. Their wedding was on June 8, 1951, at the home of Zina and Doug Willes, Lois’s parents. 

Lois and Chad spent the early years of their marriage in Lehi and American Fork, Utah. They also lived in Kansas for a year before Chad was sent to Germany with the Army. Lois stayed behind in Lehi with her parents and was able to complete high school. Chad became a mechanic in the Army and learned many skills he was able to use throughout his life. When Chad returned to Utah, he and Lois moved to Kearns and bought their first home. There they raised their three boys, Doug, Craig and Joel, and daughter, Lisa. They later moved to Taylorsville where Chad and Lois spent the rest of their lives. 

Chad was always busy working on something and could fix just about anything. He was caring and always helped those around him wherever he lived or worked. He had several jobs including driving a taxi. He worked for 35 years at Mountain Bell Telephone Company where he started as a cable splicer and then later as a service technician. Chad served as President of the Communication Workers of America Union for nine years. He made countless friends and loved serving and helping others while in that position. Chad also served the community, helping to create the neighborhood watch program in his area. He helped organize and clean up the roadway at 5400 South in preparation for the Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. Chad was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Chad and Lois loved and supported their children and later their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They often traveled to visit them and attended their activities and functions. After Chad retired, he and Lois became snowbirds that would spend the winters in Phoenix, Arizona. They did this for many years and formed wonderful friendships during that time. They enjoyed daily walks and liked to garden, growing delicious tomatoes. 

Chad also loved the game of golf. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family and was a great golfer for many years. He enjoyed watching sports and keeping up on the games and scores of several different sports. Later in life, he enjoyed watching different shows on television and loved listening to some of his favorite musical artists including Dean Martin and Charley Pride. His family will miss his wisdom, his quick wit and his patient, listening ear. 

Chad is survived by his children, Doug (Tricia), Craig (Kimmy), and Lisa Jensen, 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Lois; his son, Joel; his son-in-law, Christopher Jensen; his grandchildren, Ashley and Travis Terry; and his siblings Grant and Dean Witt, and Alta, Van, Colleen Giuliani, Ethel Sandy Syversen and Joel Terry. 

A private family celebration of his life will be held. Interment will be at Lehi Cemetery in Lehi, Utah.