Terry Harold DePlois
March 22, 1947 ~ December 15, 2023
Terry Harold DePlois peaceably passed away at home on Friday, December 15, 2023. Terry, the son of Harold and JoAnn DePlois, was born on March 22, 1947, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After Terry graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1965, he went on to study Aviation at Oklahoma State University. There, he was part of the Oklahoma State University water ski team and graduated in 1971.
Terry DePlois served as an Officer in the United States Air Force. This kickstarted a successful and strong career in aviation. He was a pilot in the private corporate industry and ultimately served 21 years at the Federal Aviation Administration. He received many certifications, awards, and recognitions during his career.
When Terry wasn’t “going Mach 2 with his hair on fire”, he loved being the captain of his boats at the lake, four-wheel driving his supped-up Jeep, and scuba diving in places like the Great Barrier Reef. He loved playing golf, motorcycle trips with his close friends, snow skiing in Colorado, barefoot skiing at Lake Eufaula, and setting up trains for his grandchildren. He planned great road trips and videoed every moment (well before cell phones)! He loved new technology, rock-n-roll music, James Bond movies, and living life to the fullest.
Terry DePlois is survived by his former wife Jerri Dillon and their children Teranne Keogh, spouse Matthew Keogh, and Greg DePlois, spouse Missouri DePlois, and grandchildren Jessie Keogh, Maxon Keogh, James Keogh, and Annlee DePlois. He is also survived by his former wife Adelina Wooldridge and her children and grandchildren, sister Janet DePlois Woodward and preceded in death by his parents Harold and JoAnn DePlois.
Services will be held Friday, January 5, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Matthew’s Funeral Home located at 601 S Kelly Ave, Edmond, OK 73003.
A very nice gentleman, that cared a lot about his children and grandchildren. Terry loved every adventure he could start and finish.
Terry formed a car club, FoPoChe, where he took me in his hot rod Mustang to be raced with the Beatles playing on the radio. From there we went to competitive slalom water skiing and jump ramp competition and in the winters we went snow skiing. He was a man of God and went to OBU to study to be a Baptist minister, but transferred to OSU where he studied aeronautic engineering and then began an Air Force career. From there he became a private pilot and took me on many wild rides in the sky. Tragic struck in 1977, when Terry’s plane hit a downdraft and crashed in Aspen, Colorado. Days later our prays were answered when we got a call and he had been found and was alive. Terry went on to achieve many accomplishments, which included being a chief spokesperson for the President of the United States in building of airports across the world. Our parents always warned us they would send us to Timbuktu if we were ever bad children. It became a family joke when the President actually sent Terry to Timbuktu, Africa, and had to assess that area for an airport. Our dad made sure we were miserable every summer by confining us to a car as we vacationed in all 50 states. My brother and I have shared many memories and I’ve always been proud of his accomplishments. Rest In Peace and fly high with the angels my brother