TERRANCE EARL THOMAS

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Terry Thomas on Friday, December 28, 2018 with family and friends by his side.

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Terry was predeceased by his wife Pat and father Earl Brother Mundy.

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Terry is survived by his wife Karen Mackelson; mother Vera; son Shaun (Susan); Sister Eileen Dennett (Rocky Poulan); brother Shane; aunt Faylin; and Davey. As well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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Terry was born on December 27th, 1955 in Winnipeg, Manitoba but grew-up in Beaconia, Manitoba. He attended school at Beaconia, Grand Marais, and Walter Whyte. He would help his dad and grandfather, Reuben, on the cattle farm by driving a tractor and pulling loads of hay from the fields. Terry loved everything and anything mechanical, he was a real little grease monkey. He spent a lot of time with his grandparents, Reuben and Beatrice Thomas. Beatrice was very fond of Terry, so when he slept over she would serve him freshly made buns right out of the oven. Terry also spent a lot of time with his Aunt Faylin and she would round up the kids for a walk to Beaconia Beach, where they would swim and play for hours. Terry also took a great interest in music by playing the guitar and banjo.

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Terry moved to the city of Winnipeg and worked a few different jobs. Then at the age of 18, Terry’s first real job was driving a truck hauling mail out west. Trucking seemed to be in his blood, he drove for the George Smith Trucking company and would drive out west and all over the United States. During this part of his life he met various groups of people who later became good buddies of his and they often drove in pairs to their destinations.

Terry met Patricia Ann and they proceeded to marry on August 6, 1977. Later they would welcome their baby boy, Shaun, on June 14, 1979. Over the years Pat and Shaun ventured with Terry on numerous trips, one was even to Disneyland, California. Pat and Terry shared a lot of family time together, including birthday parties and barbecues, for 23 years until Pat’s passing on September 18th, 2000.

Later Terry met Karen and they would marry on February 14, 2003. Terry eventually became his own owner operator, hauling across Canada and the United States, he truly loved what he did. He also loved his Peterbilt’s, the perfect combination of power and speed. His prized treasure was a brand new 2005 Peterbilt extended cab which was his baby.

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There was no job too big for him to handle, he always got the job done. One time, when he had to park behind a motel for the weekend, he managed to park with only 3 to 4 inches on either side of the truck and trailer. Terry was very skilled with trucks and after Karen thought to herself, “he’s the VERY BEST OF THE BIG DOGS!”

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Around 2009 he finally got off long haul, he sold his baby and bought a 2005 Kenworth to haul gravel around Manitoba. During this time he would end up meeting more great friends. Terry concentrated on getting as many loads done in one day so he could go out and enjoy hunting with his buddies.  Terry also enjoyed pulling out his guitar and playing a few tunes and decorating the house for Christmas. He loved cutting grass on his riding mower with a nice cold beer or three. Of course he was always working on his truck and/or trailer for it to be in tip top shape. If something wasn’t working or a squeak/rattle was heard he had a pretty good idea as to what the problem was and it got fixed immediately. He also took an interest in car racing, so he went out and bought a Challenger, he loved his power and speed.

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Under that rough tough appearance Terry was a very extraordinary, gentle, logical, generous, hard-working, and loving man! Terry will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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The family would like to give special thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Cancer Care Manitoba and the Riverview Health Centre.

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Cremation has taken place.

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It was Terry’s wish to have a private celebration of his life with family and his great friends in the spring of 2019, after the ice roads are closed for the season.