Memorials › Terry F. Messing
Terry F. Messing
10 Dec 1923 – 30 Nov 2014
| Birth | 10 Dec 1923 |
| Death | 30 Nov 2014 |
| Cemetery | Fairlawn Burial Park Hutchinson , Reno County , Kansas , USA |
| Added by | Dominique Potier on 21 Oct 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139451314 |
Bio
Terry F. Messing, 90, was born on Dec. 10, 1923, son of Ed and Esther Messing, on a farm near Shelby, Neb. On Nov. 30, 2014, Terry passed at Hospice House of Hutchinson. In January 1943, he volunteered for the Army Air Corp. He went to England with the 305th bomb group as a navigator. In the fall of 1944, Lt. Messing's B-17 was shot down during a raid on an oil refinery over Hanover and he was a prisoner of war in Germany for 6 ½ months. He has been a member of the American Legion, Before he left for overseas, he told Gloria, "When I come back, remind me to ask you to marry me." Terry and Gloria were married in Columbus, Neb., and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on Aug. 23, 2014. Moving to Kansas, Terry obtained his real estate license and eventually started his own firm. He served several terms as president of the local real estate board, and served 16 years on the Kansas Real Estate Commission guiding the state in formulating regulations for ethical real estate practices. Terry was invited by Educational Testing Services, Princeton, N.J., to submit questions for real estate exams. Terry helped start the Hutchinson Home Builder's Association and served as president, he was president of the State Home Builder's Association from 1971 to 1973, and was awarded life director by the National Association of Homebuilders. He took pride in helping individuals acquire affordable housing, especially veterans using the VA loan program. Terry helped break ground for Holy Cross Church and School, and later Trinity High School and Junior High. In the 1970s, Messing began development of BelAire Subdivision followed by the development of Brentwood, Sherwood Hills, Belmont and began Commerce Gardens. Terry was an avid golfer and a lifelong blood donor. He enjoyed serving the community with his voice by singing at variety shows, wedding and choir. He also read to the blind, hosted a big band radio show, lectored and did public announcing. Terry more recently has been recognized for: his 50 years of service by the National Board of Realtors in 2005, the National Community College Basketball Tournament for his 50 years of service as public address announcer in 2005, by the Holy Cross Chancel Choir in 2007 for 50 years of continuous service, was one of twelve World War II American POWs selected by "The Greatest Generation" to visit their old bases in England in 2011, and participate in the annual French D-Day Celebrations on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches, and in 2014, American Red Cross recognized Terry as one of Hutchinson's Hometown Heroes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Esther Messing; daughter, Debi Messing; brother, Vince Messing; and sisters, Charlotte Messing and Marilyn Westley. Terry is survived by: his wife, Gloria; sister, Ramona Plock; brother, Bill Messing; daughters, Diane McClure (Steve and family), and Dawn Messing (Jeff Frost); sons, Doug Messing (Janet and family), Dana Messing, and Dale Messing; three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Parish Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, with Father Joseph Eckberg presiding. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. in Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to the Reno County Food Bank, Trinity High School, Holy Cross Catholic School, or Hospice and Home Care of Reno County, all in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS, 67501
Photos
Family
Parents
Siblings
Export GEDCOM
This person only · Entire connected family