Terry Earl Kilmer

Terry Kilmer entered into final rest at home in Windsor, CA, the morning of February 4, 2024, with his wife, Mary and best friend, Terry by his side. He had just turned 73. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, who all loved him for his "Okie" charm. Known to some friends as "Kooter," Terry had a great, quick, witty and sometimes "gotcha" sense of humor. He was full of jokes and funny sayings.

Born in Alva, OK, raised in Laverne, OK, he graduated from Laverne High School, attended N.W. Oklahoma State University. He then changed course, attending trade school and became a diesel mechanic. After various jobs in the oil field, he went to work for Haliburton. He loved telling stories of his adventures in Libya, Egypt, Colorado and Rock Springs. In 1979 he was transferred to Healdsburg, as Shop Foreman. Eleven years later, while residing in Geyserville, he left Haliburton to work for Healdsburg and Geyserville School Districts mechanically maintaining buses. In 1992, he landed his dream job with the California Highway Patrol. He worked 26+ years as motor carrier specialist, along with a short stint on the Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT).

Terry's passions in life, besides family, were all about outdoor activities: tank and free diving, fishing, hunting fowl, small and big game, water and snow skiing, camping, chopping wood, dirt bike and motorcycle riding, and of course his blue trucks, all of which were replaced in later life by his beloved red "JEEP." Wrenching, welding and building things were also favorite pastimes. He was so blessed to have had many friends to share these passions and adventures with. It was so heart wrenching to watch his passions fade away due to dementia.

Terry is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Janelle Kilmer; parents Earl and Edith Kilmer; sister Erlene Meier; mother-in-law Rosalie Mahoney and his sister-in-law Trish (Mary) Mahoney.

He is survived by his wife and friend of 39 years, Mary Kilmer; granddaughter, Cassidy (Oziel) Calfinkilmer; brother Stan Kilmer; niece Tamara Brunk; nephew Michael Meier. His brothers-in-law: Terry Mahoney, Mike Mahoney, and Tom Meier; sisters-in-law: Christine (Jim) Helton and Linda Mahoney; son-in-law Chris Calfin; and many cherished and close relatives.

Donations to Council on Aging-Day Respite Program, Santa Rosa or Providence Home Hospice, Santa Rosa, in the name of Terry Kilmer would be greatly appreciated.

Friends of Terry and Janelle are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on April 21, 2024, at Charlie's at Windsor Golf Club from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. For details and to RSVP by April 13th, please reach out to the family at: kilmermtj@gmail.com

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · March 15, 2024