Terry D. Eatherton, 64, of Gibbon, died Dec. 1, 2012, at his home in Gibbon surrounded by his loving family after a 4-year fight with pancreatic cancer.
Terry was born Jan. 13, 1948, in Kearney to Dale and Nadine (Brandt) Eatherton. He was educated at Cozad, Cairo and Wood River Public Schools and graduated from Kearney High School in 1966. He is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-70.
On July 8, 1978, he married the love of his life, Gilberta Olson, at Gibbon. They made their home in Gibbon and he worked for Eatons, had his own welding shop and then worked at HiTech, Inc.
Terry and the entire family spent many weekends during the summer racing at local tracks and at the lake. Even after his diagnosis, Terry still had his competitive edge and raced two seasons and won many races.
His hobbies include playing poker, tinkering in the shop, and watching sports, especially college football and NASCAR. Most recently he enjoyed occupying his time restoring antique toys. But his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the Gibbon Baptist Church, Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, Gibbon American Legion, Kearney Elks Lodge No. 984, I.M.C.A. and a past member of the Gibbon and Shelton Boosters.
Surviving relatives include his loving wife, Gilberta, of Gibbon; daughters, Shelley (Mike) Pedersen, of Moriarty, N.M., Kristin (Ted) Melton, of Commerce City, Colo., Stephanie (Josh) Leonard, of Gibbon, SPC. Stormi Eatherton, of Fort Carson, Colo.; sons, Terry Jr., of Santa Rosa, N.M., and Jeremy (Georgia) Eatherton, of Phoenix, Ariz. He is also survived by his father and step-mother, Dale and MaryAnn Eatherton, of Gibbon; sisters, Ronda (Larry) Dix, of Lincoln, Ranae (Bob) Howard, of Kearney, Tami (Mick) Anderson, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Sheri Eatherton, of Kearney; grandchildren, JaeLynn, PFC Patrick, Jeremy and Joesaph Pedersen, Madison and Taylor Eatherton, Treyten and Parker Melton and Braxten Leonard.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Nadine, in 1975; brother and best friend, Steve Eatherton, in 2009; and grandparents, Louis and Emma Brandt and Orren and Anna Eatherton.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Gibbon Baptist Church with the Rev. Matt Wolf officiating. Burial with military rites, provided by the Gibbon American Legion and the United States Air Force Military Honors team, will be at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Gathering of friends with family will be from 5-7 p.m., today, at Gibbon Baptist Church.
A message of condolence can be left at hlmkfuneral.com Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.