Terrance William McGee

Terry McGee was born to Thomas and Mildred McGee in Chariton, Iowa, and passed away February 2024 after a short stay at Northfield hospital in Minnesota. He graduated from Chariton High School in 1960 where he excelled in athletics and was invited to compete in the Iowa State High School Track and Wrestling state tournaments.  He subsequently joined the Air Force and received an Honorable Discharge in 1964.  Sometime later, he attended Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Terry married Kay Roberts in 1965 and they would later have two sons, Sean and Corey.  Terry started his career with Firestone in 1967 as a Credit manager in Beloit, WI.  He later became the store manager of a commercial and retail store in downtown Davenport, Iowa in 1973.  It became one of the most profitable stores in the U.S. and he was selected from a pool of over 1700+ stores to receive the Bridgestone/Firestone National Store Manager of the Year award on numerous occasions.  Terry credited his good crew of employees for his successes.  In later years, Terry became a regional manager where he oversaw several retail and wholesale stores.  Terry enjoyed traveling and took various people with him on trips; while with Firestone, his work was often rewarded with all-expense paid international trips to destinations such as Hong Kong, England, Hawaii, and Mexico.  After more than 3 decades of service, he retired in 2001.

Terry was a proud parent.  He was always intentional about attending his sons' school and sports activities, frequently spoke of Corey's singing ability, and, in their adult years, often remarked about their academic and professional achievements.  Later in life, Terry was blessed to find his daughter, Beth, who was born prior to his relationship with Kay.  The family has enjoyed their connection with Beth.  Terry was also proud of his wife for later returning to school and earning bachelor's and master's degrees despite her long hours of studying.

In 2009, he and Kay moved to Lakeville, MN to be near their sons and grandchildren.  Terry enjoyed spending time and playing with Logan and Avery when small and watching Logan grow into a young adult and Avery into her teen years.  He and Kay were very active in their grandchildren's lives and attended many of their school sports activities.  He was very proud of them and often spoke about their talents and intelligence.

Terry's passion for sports carried over into his adult years.  He enjoyed playing sports, especially softball with his work and church colleagues and was a lifelong Dodgers fan.  He was also a highly competitive bowler and bowled from his teen years into late adulthood, having been invited to compete in several USBC national tournaments.  Having bowled several 299 games, the 300 was just out of reach for him.  Terry later picked up golf and enjoyed playing with friends in Iowa, Minnesota, and Naples, Fl during his retirement years.  Terry and Kay enjoyed spending the winters in their Naples condo where walking their dogs was much more pleasant than in the Minnesota winters.

Terry was known for his firm handshake, determination, love of family and friends, humility and welcoming nature.  He was loved by his family and will be deeply missed.  However, he lives on through his family, friends, colleagues, who were blessed to know him.

Survivors include his wife, Kay, sons, Sean and Dr. Corey McGee( Marianne), daughter, Beth (Bob), grandchildren, Logan and Avery, and his special Havanese fur baby.  Other survivors include brothers, Tom (Kim), Tim (Natalie), and sister, Patty (Niles) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ginger.

Memorials may be made to the John L Lewis Museum, 102 Division St., Lucas, IA 50151.  Fielding Funeral home will be in charge of private service.

After fighting the good fight for 81 years, my father, Terry McGee, transcended his earthly body late last week. Given the recent nature of this loss and our complexity as humans, it's very difficult for me to put into words his legacy or my love for him. However, I'd like to share with our family and friends a bit about why I've been blessed to call this man, "Dad."

Like us all, my father was flawed and I'm sure I've inherited some of his flaws (and perhaps even passed them on to my kids ;)), but this man's good qualities far exceeded the others. Here are just some of the many things I learned from this man and dearly loved about him: 1) Humility - he was a man of many notable successes in sports, and his work career however he'd be the last person to tell you about it, 2) Positivity - he would almost always greet you with a smile, and sturdy handshake, and/or a hug, and always went out of his way to make those around him feel welcome, 3) Walk the walk - he wasn't the most eloquent man but his actions spoke loudly and he was always diligent in seeing something through, 4) A strong work ethic - although perhaps a bit of a fault (that I share), there aren't many who could outwork this man, 5) Resilience - life dealt him many curveballs that he rose above and this is something that has had a huge influence on how I've navigated life, 6) Love for family - although the words weren't always expressed, a sturdy pat on the back or thigh and/or hug, and a term of endearment (e.g., "beast", "monster", "bud", etc.) was enough for me or any other to know he cared. If there was an event that was of the smallest importance to my kids, wife, or me, you could always count on him being there, 7) There is time to 'get things right' - later adulthood looked good on my dad. He stopped smoking, was an unparalleled grandpa, and resolved issues with those closest to him. and 8.) Respect for others - Dad was often confused for a doorman given that he'd always be last to step across the door threshold at the local restaurant or convenience store and, although he grew up in a small community in Southern Iowa, always seemed to see the humanity in people from all walks of life.

 My grief is greatly diminished in knowing that he is at peace and by the thoughts of him again rounding third base with blazing speeds and without a hint of pain, swinging the club without elbow pain (or his well-known slice), and bowling that 300 game that cruelly eluded him by one pin on several occasions.

I'm so grateful to be this man's son and miss him dearly. But, he is still with me, my family, and the many others that he's impacted in so many ways and I will see him and bear-hug him again one day.

Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Air. Love you always, Da.  Corey

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