Terry J. Affholder, 63, of Stilwell, passed away on February 25, 2018. He was born on September 17, 1954 to Elmer Lee and Jo Ann (Willey) Affholder in Marysville, KS.
Terry spent his early childhood in Leavenworth Kansas and most of his school years in Topeka. He was active in the band at Highland Park High School. During his senior year, his father's career with the Kansas Highway Patrol took them to Great Bend, and Terry graduated from Great Bend High School in 1972. Terry earned an Associate's Degree from Barton County Community College, and then transferred to Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement. It was in the marching band at CMSU where Terry met Linda Case, a new member of the trombone section. They married in 1977, and made their home in Emporia and Neosho Rapids. Terry followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1976. He served in Lyon County and on the Kansas Turnpike. Terry enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he and Linda took tours on his motorcycle. While in Emporia, the couple were blessed with two children, Jennifer Irene and Joshua Ryan. In 1987, Terry's career took him to the Kansas City area where he served in Johnson County. He later joined the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program and worked the northeast Kansas area, inspecting trucks and motor vehicles. In this capacity, he had the opportunity to teach motor vehicle and hazardous materials safety courses for his law enforcement colleagues, traveling across the continental United States and to Hawaii and the Mariana Islands. He loved his work with the Patrol; serving others was his calling. Terry retired from the Patrol in 2005. He loved spending time with his family on fishing and camping trips and taking care of his grandson Nicholas. His favorite retirement job was driving children to school for All Point Transportation. The children loved him, and a Kindergarten student nominated Terry for the Kindest Kansas Citian award in 2015.
Terry is survived by his loving wife, Linda; children, Joshua Affholder, Jennifer (Seann) Denham, grandson, Nicholas Denham, and his brother Rick (Linda) Affholder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Jo Ann Affholder.
The family will receive friends for a visitation at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Penwell Gabel's Olathe chapel, a memorial service will follow at 11:00am.
Memorial contributions may be given to The University of Kansas Health System by visiting, https://giving.kansashealthsystem.com/tribute (please copy and paste the URL address into your browser.)
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