Terry Menges, 80, of Caldwell, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family.
A public visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell.
Interment will follow. Pastor David Johnson will officiate.
Terry was born on March 3, 1944, to James Ward and Ethel Watson Menges of Rockdale.
While he did not complete high school, he opted instead to join the Navy when he was only 16.
After completing his service, he received his GED and went to college at Texas A&M University of Tarleton where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Terry also graduated with a Ph.D. in Agriculture and Applied Science from Kansas State University in May of 1979.
After graduation, he started working at Texas A&M University, serving as an Extension Horticulturist for 30 years at Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M. He coordinated with all county agents around the state specializing in blueberries and peaches.
Terry met his future spouse, Wanda Schoeneman Menges, in Caldwell and they were married on March 21, 1992, in Rockdale. Together, they raised a beautiful family.
Terry’s hobbies include deer hunting, reloading ammo, repairing guns, target practice, gardening, traveling, singing and dancing, but most of all he loved spending endless hours with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family was his greatest treasure.
Terry attended both Baptist and Christian churches all his life.
Terry always preached gun safety to his kids and grandkids and even though he did this, he once shot himself in the leg on accident, proving that no matter how safe you are accidents still happen.
His lively sense of humor and his bright and loving spirit will live in the hearts of those who love him forever.
Throughout his life, Terry remained a devout and faithful person, eagerly awaiting the day he could join the Lord. His family is grateful for his life and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, his family and friends.
Terry was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Ward and Ethel (Watson) Menges; sister, Betty Walters and her husband, Richard; sister- in-law, Dorothy (Dot) Menges; nephews, Cory Menges and Logan Luke; as well as sisters-in-law, Myrna Menges of Portales, New Mexico, and Cathy Menges of Taylor, Texas.
He is survived by wife, Wanda Schoeneman Menges; and children, James Ward Menges and wife, Theresa, of Huntsville, Britnea Jan Panttila and husband, Randy, of Bellville, Kim Campise Menges and David Dunn of Decatur, Illinois, Heather Campise Cook and husband, Greg, of Caldwell, Joey Campise and wife, April, of Caldwell, and Bradley Campise of Austin; siblings, Johnny K. Menges, Sr. of Tanglewood, Billy R. Menges of Portales, New Mexico, Victoria L. Castro of Austin, Ronnie W. Menges of Taylor; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Honoring him as pallbearers will be grandchildren, Cody Panttila, Chance (Buck) Beseda, Ryan Panttila, Morgan Menges, Wyatt Menges, Frank Beseda, John Beseda, Kaden (Buddy) Roskey, Kyler (Cowboy) Roskey.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Stormie Menges, Shundale Campise, Sean Campise, Charlee Demottier, Gage Lee; and greatgrandchildren, Lakely Panttila, Josephine (J.C.) Pantilla, and Kolt Beseda.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local VFW or help.dav.org.
The family would like to thank St. Joseph’s Emergency Center in Caldwell, Caldwell EMS, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan for their unwavering devotion and assistance to Terry in his time of need.
Express condolences at PhillipsandLuckey.com.
PHILLIPS & LUCKEY FUNERAL HOME 404 W. Buck St. Caldwell, Tx 77836 979-567-3232