John "Terry" Casady

John "Terry" T. Casady, 82, passed away on July 14, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, following a 9 year battle with Lymphoma. Born on January 18, 1943, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Terry was a man of great intelligence, determination and kindness. His generous and frugal nature was admired by all who knew him. Terry graduated from Erie High School in Erie, Kansas. He spent 2 years at Pittsburg State before entering a work study program as a geophysicist at the Pan American Petroleum Corp. He was also a chemist at the White Sands Missile Range. He transferred to Texas Western University at El Paso, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Physics with a minor in Math. While there he met his future wife, Joyce Elaine Burnite. His academic pursuits set the stage for a distinguished career in both the military and civilian sectors. After graduating from Texas Western, Terry was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, serving as a C130 pilot during the Vietnam War. Following his combat service, he became an instructor pilot in the T-38 in Laredo, Texas, imparting his knowledge and skills to new aviators over a commendable 12-year military career. He received a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Effects from the Armed Forces Institute of Technology. He took a direct duty assignment at the Bethesda Navel Hospital Nuclear Reactor Lab, until his discharge from the Air Force in 1978. After his military service, Terry transitioned to the civilian workforce, initially running a small oil business in Wellsville, Kansas. Later, he shifted to a role in Quality Control for Koss Construction, where he continued to exemplify leadership and meticulousness. Terry's personal life was filled with joy and adventure. Upon his graduation from OTS in San Antonio, Texas, he married Joyce (Joy) on October 26, 1966, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland. They honeymooned on the Sky Linedrive on their way to pilot training in Arizona. Upon receiving his assignment in the C-130, they were able to go together to Okinawa for 2.5 years. There they, sailed, did scuba diving, played golf and traveled when Terry wasn’t in country, An avid sailor, Terry was an active member of the Grand Lake Sailing Club and was the Rear Admiral in charge of racing. He also loved golf, tennis, basketball, skiing, both snow and water. He enjoyed gardening, reading current events and watching auto races on TV. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and DeLena (Conway) Casady, his brother Mitchell Casady and brother-in-law William D. Burnite. Left to cherish his memory, his wife Joyce, and many family members, including his aunts, Merty of McKee, Tx, Sharon of Cooper, OK and Peggy(Jim) Luckett, OK; sister-in-law Pam Leitnaker (Tom), nephews Clay Casady (Allison) and John Casady (Sylvia), all of Bella Vista, AR; sister-in-law Rose Burnite of Havre De Grace, MD, nieces Stacy Burnite of Baltimore, MD, Kimberly Spriggs (Carlos) of Havre De Grace, MD, along with many nieces, nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A gathering for friends and family will be at 11am Friday, September 12, 2025, at Nichols-Stephens Funeral Service followed by a reception.

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John "Terry" Casady

January 18, 1943 - July 14, 2025