Wyckoff Terry Obituary (1936

Oakley Wyckoff Terry, 88, of Moulton passed away Friday, January 10th with his loving family by his side. He was, in his own words, "A Christian, uncle, brother, father-in-law, dad, granddad, husband, and a Child of the King." He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Todd Terry and Kim Brown of Huntsville, his daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Jim Cunningham of Florence, and the pride and joy of his life, granddaughters Reagan Cunningham Tomlinson (J.R.) and Ruby Cunningham, also of Florence. Other survivors include his sisters-in-law Dian Terry and Marilyn Terry, brother-in-law Jack Smith, and 14 adored nieces and nephews he worshiped as much as his own children. Wyckoff was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Patsy Smith Terry, his parents Marvin James and Myrtle Pearl Terry, and his siblings Marvin Jr., Lindsay, Bill, Bobby, and Peggy. Born in Decatur in 1936, Wyckoff was a star athlete excelling in baseball, and was a gymnastic trampoline artist who performed at many school halftime shows. He worked at the local A&P rising to the role of Produce Manager, surprising for a boy who hated vegetables. As a teenager Wyckoff's family moved to Moulton where his father started the city's Chevrolet dealership. His job included washing the used cars and would occasionally accompany his father or the dealership's bookkeeper by train to pick up new vehicles in Evansville, Indiana, where they would each drive a car home. This was much to the chagrin of his mother, as he was only 14 years old. It was here in Moulton that he met the love of his life, Patsy Smith, to whom he became a doting and loving husband until her death in 2012. A tireless worker, Wyckoff enjoyed many careers throughout his long life, beginning with the Chemstrand Corporation (later Monsanto), where he worked for 37 years. He was also a homebuilder and real estate developer, a gentleman cattle farmer raising prized purebred Charolais bulls, and most recently one of the state's top dealers for Cotton State Barns where he earned the company's "Legend" award. He worked daily there until he was 85, a dealership that remains successful today under the watch of his adored niece, Paige Terry, and decades-long friend, Bobby Mize. When not working, Wyckoff's other passion was golf, and anyone playing with him often found themselves on the business end of an unsolicited 18-hole lesson. He would sometimes get up early to get in nine holes before work, often alone and playing three or four balls at once to get more playing time in. Probably his only regret in life was never joining the PGA Senior Tour. Wyckoff was a devoted member of Moulton Baptist Church his entire adult life, where he knew that prayer was the very first step to solving absolutely any problem, no matter how large or small. He was begged to accept a deacon position numerous times, but always declined as he felt himself unworthy. Services will be Friday at Moulton Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 12:30pm followed by the memorial at 2:30pm. Dr. Tim Lovett will officiate with assistance from Rev. Jesse Reeder, and music by nephew Bill Terry. Burial will follow in Moulton Memory Gardens with Elliott Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers will be nephews Josh Terry, Levi Terry, Rex Terry, Rex Harris, Jay Terry, and Tod Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be lifelong friends Bobby Mize, Clinton Hardin, Charles Rutherford, Johnny Moses, and Lanier Sibley. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Wyckoff Terry, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.