Terry Lynn Durham, 74 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa died on Friday, November 3, 2023. Services: 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Teahen Funeral Home. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Another funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel, 203 Bass Street, Marble Hill, MO 63764. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Burial: Baker Cemetery, Marble Hill, MO.
Terry is survived by his wife Liz; his beloved cat, Mr. Mizzou; brother, David Lee Durham (Karen Heil) of Hardin, MO; niece Kristen Durham and her husband Matias Travizano of San Mateo, CA; nephew Kyle (Courtney) Durham of Norborne, MO; great nephews, Simeon and Elijah; great uncle, Harold (Barbara) Moyers of Greenville, MO and many other extended family and friends.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Pearl Durham.
Terry was born on January 5, 1949 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Henry and Pearl Moyers Durham. Terry began his education at the Lower Turkey Creek Elementary in Wayne County, MO until third grade when the one room schools in Wayne County and Bollinger County consolidated to become Woodland RIV school district in Marble Hill, MO. He was active in the Future Farmers of America organization which led to a career in Animal Husbandry. He graduated in 1967 as the class Salutatorian. In 1971, Terry graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, and in 1973 he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Swine Nutrition.
On August 21, 1971, Terry married his childhood friend, Elizabeth “Liz” Miller at First Baptist Church in Marble Hill, MO. Terry was an Animal Nutritionist and worked for the following companies, RATH Packing Company, Waterloo, IA, GOOCH Milling Company, Feed Division, Lincoln, NE, Real Veal Nutra Melk, Ixonia, WI, Golden Sun Feeds, Grinnell, IA, Minnesota Corn Processors, Marshall, MN, Archer Daniels Midland, Cedar Rapids, IA and TL Durham, Inc. Agricultural Commodities, LLC, Cedar Rapids, IA. Terry took helping his clients seriously and always wanted them to get the best price, delivery and to support their efforts for a profitable outcome. Many factors played a part, but brokering to make both parties in a business deal doable was first and foremost to him.
Terry proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1971 to 1996. He was a member of the Association of Animal Science, Future Farmers of America, the Lions Clubs International, and the Jaycees. Terry’s volunteerism began with the Nebraska Jaycees in Lincoln from 1975 to 1983. After the Jaycees, Terry became a member of the Lions Clubs International which played a major role in the Durham’s lives. He joined the Grinnell club in 1988, then continued with the Marshall, MN Club, and the State of Minnesota Club before moving to Cedar Rapids in 2005.
He served many roles within the organization from Club President to District Governor, Council Chair to Lions University instructor. Terry received most of the organizations recognition awards, but he felt his biggest achievement was elevating others to achieve success. Up until his death Terry, was a mentor to many. He took the Lion’s Club creed, “We Serve” very seriously and the Jaycee creed, “That Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life.” Terry was an exceptional volunteer and the programs that he was involved in were to help other’s succeed and not for recognition. In 1996, Terry was baptized in the Christin faith by Rev. Stan Meade, First Baptist Church, Grinnell, IA.