Terry Richard Kay, 76, of Rockford Illinois, formerly of Shelby, Michigan, went to his heavenly home November 12, 2023.  He was born February 18, 1947, in Walnut Ridge Arkansas, the son of James “Leonard” and Pearl (Philput) Kay.

Terry’s family moved to Shelby when he was 6 years old, where he attended Piper School and eventually transferred to Shelby Public Schools, graduating in 1965.

Terry joined the United States Air Force following high school graduation and was discharged in 1969.  He trained as a firefighter, using that training when he became a volunteer firefighter in Rockford, where he resided after his military enlistment.  Terry worked at the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, IL as a foreman for 32 years

Terry married Ellen McNeil on October 18, 2003 at Fredrick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.  They made their home in Rockford, Illinois for the last 20 years, spending their winters in Deltona Florida.  There he and Ellen could enjoy their favorite pastime, golf.

Terry loved his family and spent time traveling to visit them.  He came back to Shelby frequently and visited relatives in Arkansas as well.  Terry also enjoyed traveling to Europe several times with Ellen and step-daughter Tricia.

Terry is survived by:  his wife, Ellen; stepdaughters, Tricia McNeil of Seattle, WA, and Amy (Chad) Stone of Hart; grandchildren Dylon, Theodore and Payden; sister, Sharon (Louis) Robbins of Rothbury; sister-in-law, Cheryl Kay of Shelby; aunts, Mary Jane McAlee of Imboden, AR, and Zella Simmons of Shelby; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Terry was preceded in death by:  his parents, Leonard and Pearl Kay; sisters, Nellie Mae Crossno of Rockford, IL, and Linda Brooks-Petro of Whiting, IN; brothers, Bob and Leon Kay; uncle, John Simmons of Shelby.

Memorial services, with Military Honors, will be conducted at 11 am, Saturday, April 13, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, 49455, with Pastor Paulette Zoulek officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of services at the Funeral Home.  A luncheon will be provided at Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. State Street, Shelby, Michigan 49455. 

Please consider memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www//act.aiz.org.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com