Terry Dale Tupper was born on September 21, 1936, and passed away peacefully at his home in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 2026, surrounded by the family who loved him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Helen (Peshman) Tupper; his son Thomas (Jill) Tupper of Frisco, Texas, and their sons, Caleb and Josiah. He is also survived by his son James (Jennie) Tupper of Indianola, Iowa, and their children: Kindra (DJ) Masters of Holley, New York, and their son, Maverick; Devon Tupper of Des Moines, Iowa; Dawson (Clara) Tupper of Indianola, Iowa, and their children, Harvey and Felicity; and Daltry Tupper of Indianola, Iowa.
Terry was preceded in death by his father, Elmore Tupper; his mother, Wanda Moss; his six brothers, Bob, Douglas, John, Larry, Steve, and Don; and his three sisters, Elnore, June, and Joyce.
Growing up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years, Terry experienced a childhood marked by hardship. Like many families of that era, his family moved frequently from town to town and state to state in search of work. There were few possessions to carry from one place to another, but he shared an enduring bond with his siblings. Despite a childhood often defined by uncertainty and hunger, Terry built a life of remarkable achievement through determination, hard work, and service.
At the age of 14, Terry moved with his mother and younger siblings to Watertown, South Dakota. He worked as a bellhop at the Lincoln Hotel before joining Dugan Sales and Service, where he sold and repaired appliances while also installing furnaces and ductwork.
At 17, Terry joined the South Dakota National Guard alongside four of his older brothers. There he discovered his life's calling in military service and aviation. While serving, he earned his GED, passed the Civil Service examination, and joined the Watertown Fire Department, serving as both a firefighter and ambulance attendant. In 1959, he completed Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Terry completed fixed-wing flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 1961, followed by rotary-wing flight training at Camp Wolters, Texas, in early 1962. He married the love of his life, Helen, in September 1963.
His first professional flying job took him over some of America's most beautiful landscapes, piloting sightseeing helicopter tours above the Badlands and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He later completed both the Field Artillery Advanced Course and the Nuclear Weapons Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
From 1965 until November 1973, Terry served as a civilian flight instructor for Southern Airways of Texas at Fort Wolters, where he trained Army student helicopter pilots preparing for service in Vietnam. He later flew personnel and supplies to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico for Air Logistics.
In 1976, Terry graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, qualifying him for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. In January 1977, he joined the Army Reserve at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, while serving as a Department of the Army civilian flight instructor and later Facility Supervisor at the Reserve Flight Facility in Des Moines.
In 1985, Terry began a distinguished career with the Federal Aviation Administration, serving as an accident investigator, Air Carrier Supervisor, and Regional Manager until his retirement in 2004.
During 32 years of active and reserve military service, Terry attained the rank of Colonel and earned the designation of Master Army Aviator. He held certifications as an accident investigator, instrument flight instructor, maintenance and acceptance test pilot, and both fixed-wing and rotary-wing instructor and examiner. Although eligible to continue his military advancement, he chose to retire in order to remain with the FAA, where he believed he could continue making a meaningful contribution to aviation safety.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Terry found joy in golf, woodworking, restoring his treasured 1977 Cadillac, and crafting beautiful handmade guitars. He lovingly built guitars for both of his sons, Tom and Jim, as well as for each of his grandchildren. These instruments will remain treasured family heirlooms and lasting reminders of his talent, generosity, and love.
It is difficult to capture a life as full and extraordinary as Terry's. No obituary can fully tell the story of the countless lives he touched. Through his work, he trained pilots whose skills helped them return home safely from the Vietnam War. Later, he helped shape the standards and regulations that continue to protect millions of air travelers. Throughout every chapter of his life, he devoted himself to serving his country, supporting his family, and living with integrity.
Above all else, Terry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was not a perfect man, but he was a deeply good one. He lived with courage, purpose, humility, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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