Terry James Highley

Terry James Highley 82, was born in 1944 to William James and Uva Mae (Dade) Highley at Butler, MO.

Terry attended several rural schools in Bates and Cass Counties as his parents moved for jobs. He graduated eighth grade at Hickory Grove School, rural Archie, MO., Attended Archie High School graduating in 1962.

He worked at Limpus Quarry for a short time. Farmed with his dad, and summer hay jobs. Got married to Lela Gilmore of East Lynne at Gunn City, MO. on 4-5, 1964, Then he started working at Anaconda Wire and Cable in Harrisonville, MO. in January of 1965, because of a baby was on the way, needed insurance. Anaconda closed after 23 years. He took a part-time job at Archie, MO. with no insurance, wife nagged him to get a better job. He then applied at Sioux Chief at Peculiar, MO. He worked as a Machinist for 15 years. As he got closer to retirement he cut down to 4 days a week then 3 days, he really didn’t want to work out, just farm. He raised hogs and had cattle.

In 1965 Ronald James was born. In 1969, Melanie DeAnn was added to the family. Our family was complete for 15 years until Randy Lee surprised them in 1979.

Terry was a prankster and liked to play jokes on everyone. Sometimes if people didn’t know him, very well the jokes backfired.

Terry liked to horseshoe pitch; bowl; golf once in a while. He attended two World Horseshoe tournaments. For our 50th Anniversary in 2014. Ron; Victoria and little Warren took us in (our truck and camper) to New York. Ron paid Terry entry fee to pitch, my gift was to see Niagara Falls and get drenched with the rest with very COLD water. At the World Tournaments in 2015 in Topeka, Kansas, 4 generations of his family pitched, Terry; Ron, Granddaughter Paige and great grandson Warren.

Several summers were spend in Colorado high country trails with friends and almost relatives on 4-wheelers. Terry guessed we did about 600 miles there over the years. Terry was baptized on 31st of August of 2010 in very cold pool of water on a mountain top, get this, called Lost Canyon, by Pastor Larry Hess of Everett Church. God thought it was about time for this. He lit the sky up with beautiful blue and pick colors, tried to capture a picture, but this was between him and God.

Terry leaves behind his wife, Lela of 62 years; son Ron; daughter Melanie. Losing Randy Lee in 2022. Also, three Daughters-in-law Victoria; Lindsey and Cari. One Son-in-law Stacy Troby. 5 granddaughters, 4 grandsons; 4 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters.

Terry’s greatest fun was making trouble, not forgotten!!

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Western Missouri Antique Tractors & Machinery Association.