Terry Case:
CLASS OF 1975
Galesburg High SchoolClass of 1975
Galesburg, IL
Central Texas CollegeClass of 1992
Berlin,
Lombard Junior High SchoolClass of 1972
Galesburg, IL
Silas Willard Elementary SchoolClass of 1969
Galesburg, IL
Terry's Story
I would hope people will remember me as always being there for them, and would give the shirt off my back if necessary.
I always wanted to be a architect when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a good idea. As it turns out, they were right but i didnt follow through with it.
My favorite way to relax when i was younger was just drive and see where it took me. After joining the army, i began going to rock concerts. Went to over 300 of them.
The wildest thing that i ever did in high school was probably smoking a joint in the hallway across from the cafeteria.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have sleep, patience, and understanding to be able to deal with the day-to-day. Working in a prison takes a toll on you. If you are not in the right state of mind, it can be very harrowing.
My inspiration was my dad. He told me at a very young age that you should always give a days work for a days pay. I have kept that in mind my whole life and went for over 33 years without missing a day of work.
I have lived all over the world for that past 33 years. Joined the Army in 1977, went to South Carolina for basic training then to Virginia for advanced training. Lived in Berlin, Germany from 1977 to 1980. Made several German and Turkish friends while there. Lived in Newport News, Virginia from 1980 to 1982. Worked on small boats while there. Was a beautiful place to live with Virginia Beach being only 30 minutes away. Lived in Dongduchon, South Korea from 1982 to 1984. Very trying times there so close to North Korea, but grew to love it and found a strength in me i never knew i had. Moved to Killeen Texas in 1984 till early 1986. My first assignment where i had over 30 people working for me. Moved to Seoul, South Korea in early 1986 and stayed there until Christmas, 1988. One of my best assignments. The work was tough, but the rewards were great. Lived through overthrow of the South Korean government, and got to watch much of the 1988 Olympics, much of it I was able to see from MY OWN PATIO (WHAT A RUSH!). Moved to Killeen, Texas again in 1989 for 6 months. Absolutely my worst assignment. Luckily I was able to reassign quickly. Moved back to Berlin, Germany in 1989. Without a doubt my best assignment. Got to reconnect with old friends. Lived through history. Seen the fall of the wall. (When my daughter was asked in school what she knew about communism, she said she lived it, then she showed a picture of her when she was 1 year old, sitting on my shoulders on top of the wall. After the closure of Berlin, I moved to Ft Lee, Virginia and was there for the final 5 years of my military career. This was my most rewarding assignment. I was promoted to Master Sergeant and was responsible for the training of 5000 students yearly. After retiring, the Dan Fogelburg song stuck in my head. "And it looks like you're going to have to see me again, Illinois". I moved to Decatur where I lived for 10 years from 1997 to 2007. I worked at Old Country Buffet for six years in Decatur until service was calling me again and I signed up to work at the Logan prison. I moved to Lincoln, Illinois in 2007 for work purposes.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is my father, because he has been gone for so many years and i miss his encouragement.
Die Hard Chicago Cubs fan. Have followed them for 45 years and do not know what I'll do if they ever win. Am just like Ron Santo. I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to the Cubs. Absolutely despise almost all reality shows.
My biggest surprise has been that no matter what happens, with a little faith, you always land on your feet. Have lived through some tough times and two divorces. Always think about the love that got away because of my ignorance.
If I could improve ...Expand for more
my home, I'd remodel the kitchen and add on a pool deck. My dream home would be comfortable and roomy.
Never take anything for granted. You never know what life will throw at you. I have a daughter who is a junior at Purdue University majoring in Chemical Engineering. She is on the National Honor Roll and a member of the National Honor Society. My son who is a year younger than her is autistic. I would just wish he could speak. However, I haved learned so much tolerance from him and have learned take life as it is. He brings so much joy and I could not imagine him being any better than he is.
Mr. Van Dyke in Junior High School was probably my favorite teacher. He was not the best teacher, but he taught me more about life than any other teacher i ever had. I was not the ideal student, yet he never lost his cool and always had thoughts that i did not understand at the time, but came back to me later.
If I won $100 million, I'd give $10 million of it to National Autism Society, then spend the rest on family, friends and homeless.
To be truly happy would be to be living life, doesnt matter where you are, just living in the moment. Even I were retired, I would still work somewhere, doing charity work or whatever necessary. I enjoy being around people too much.
My current age is 52. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be gone. I was so completely and sadly correct.
Have already reached my most important goal. That was to retire from the military honorably and dignity. I am 11 years away from retiring from the Illinois prisons.
Can't really remember my first crush, but my first real love sort of went a different direction than me. Think about her often and wonder how her life turned out.
My best friend would tell you I'm very passionate and giving, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as very strong willed.
Have never really changed my style. Have dressed in blue jeans for nearly 40 years and always feel comfortable in them.
Weirdest job i ever had was selling vacuums just before i joined the Army. Was not very good at it, but it paid the bills until my join date.
No real trophies except for bowling and pinnacle. Was awarded 22 medals while in the military as well as being awarded best dining facility in the military 4 times.
One do over. Thats a tough one. If I convince the one true love that i am the one for her, does my life go in a different direction? That is hard to answer. I am happy that I chose the military and had fun while serving.
In 10 years, I hope to be retired. I'm going to get there by commiting myself to my job.
The biggest surprise to everyone would be that I DID go out and do something with my life. I made a name for myself while in the military. Everyone always called me Sergeant High Speed. I was always moving and checking on every detail. That name still sticks with me today as I am constantly supervising inmates to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. What has suprised me is that many of these people are not what you would think. They made a mistake when they were young and have spent the last 15 to 25 years paying for their mistakes. They have no bitterness and have truly learned from this and realize that every choice we make in life has a price on it.
My first job was at Mr. Quick, where I got paid $1.60 an hour to cook. What I remember most about it is the fun I had working there.
I'll never forget coming home for lunch in fourth grade. I was heading back to school when a car came out of a driveway and hit my bike, throwing me over the car. I missed school that afternoon and that was the only time I missed school in all my time at Silas Willard. Ironic that I would be called every other day Terry once i started at Lombard.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos
