October 22, 1947 - January 26, 2009
October 22, 1947 - January 26, 2009 |
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| Terry Mai, 61, went to be with his Heavenly Father on the morning of January 26, 2009. He was born October 22, 1947 in Russell, Kansas. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1971 to 1976. God gave Terry one of the great bass baritone voices of our time. He had a voice that was known around the country. Terry performed in such places as the Honolulu Symphony in Hawaii. His critics rated him as one of the best bass baritones to appear on the islands in the past ten years. He performed in Washington, DC at the Kennedy Center, and he toured with an opera company from Charlotte, North Carolina touring the United States where he made seventy appearances in various notable performance centers throughout. He performed at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, Texas. Terry sang frequently at the Temple Emmanuel in Dallas, Texas and did a single performance of Handel’s Messiah at Tyler Street United Methodist Church. His final performance before moving on to become worship leader at Water of Life Church was to direct and perform in Bill Gaither’s Alleluia at the First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas. Terry was in a class of students at Fort Hays University that had special talents, with one student moving on to become a member of the Buddy Rich Band. He performed along side well known performers including Van Johnson. Terry also performed what was said to be one of the best performances of The Music Man. He was a former choir director at the First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas. God took Terry with these abilities and taught him to worship God in spirit and truth and follow Him. He was the worship leader for Water of Life Church since it was chartered in 1980 and became a minister of the gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ and ministered for twenty-nine years and experienced the power of God in his life as well as his whole family. Terry did not receive any pain medication after he went home from the hospital, and even at the hospital he told them he didn’t need it. It was the power of God on him. God sustained Terry through it all. Terry fought and prayed himself into Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Kathy and his three girls, Candace, Ashley, and Rachel whom he taught to believe God and walk in the gospel in everything they do, and have a relationship with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He is also survived by his Dad and Mom, Vernon and Zelda Mai of Russell, Kansas, his sister Kimberly Cockerill and family of Scott City, Kansas, and his brother Barry Mai and family of Marion, Kansas. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009, at 1:00 P.M. at Water of Life Church in Plano. There will be viewing at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 7:30 – 9:30 P.M. |
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I thank God for you Terry. You ment more to me than you knew I wish I had told you. I have your teachings on my computer because I go back and listen again and God reveals somthing new almost every time. You have the most beautiful voice and I have that on cd's so it will still be heard at my house. Until I see you again God Bless. - Kathy Jane Wells
I always remeber that voice singing the word of God so beautifully. He always had a way of making everyone around him feel so comfortable. He will be missed.- Neal Hoke
You are in our prayers.
Love you,
Melissa, Bradley, Benjamin, Abigail Trangsrud- Melissa (Ferguson) Trangsrud
We are so sorry about the death of Terry. May the peace of the real Christ be with the Mai family during this time.
Sr. Agatha-Anne, OSF
Franciscan Order of the Divine Compassion
Anglican Church- Sr. Agatha Anne.OSF
Terry was truly an inspiration and will be greatly missed! My prayers go out to his beautiful family.
Lourdette Kosoris
Milwaukee, Wisconsin- Lourdette Lee Kosoris
To all and to my brother whom I shall miss more each day until we meet again, God gave us a time of elation and enjoyment as brothers and to also be able to help others through our actions as well as our spoken and sang words. Take care up there my big brother till we meet again.- Barry Lynn Mai
What a kind and gentle soul was Terry Mai. May God hold him in his arms and show him the true grace he so richly deserves. God bless his lovely family. His memory will live on forever in the lives that he touched and blessed.- Donna Diane Ward
The first time I heard Terry's unbelievable voice I was 14 years old. My own 28 year old daughter is also a vocal performer and I had hoped she and Terry would have an opportunity to sing for our upcoming Mai Family reunion in June. I'm sure Terry will be there in spirit and I know I'll remember him always as an amazing talent and kind and wonderful cousin whom I always enjoyed visiting with when our paths crossed. May God bless and keep you all. You are in our prayers.
Lee & Gail Mai
Rapid City, South Dakota
(605)393-9850
lmai@rap.midco.net
- Lee A Mai
The World lost a True Warrior for God, and Heaven Gained a Voice that will be heard across the Heavens. He helped guide and change my whole family and we loved him as our own father, he will be greatly missed as he was an inspiration to everyone who knew him and respected him.
Love the Alperts- scot alpert
Your smile will be missed, but what was in your heart has blessed us all. Our love and prayers are with you, Kathy and girls. Ricky and Kerri Chambers and family- Kerri Lyn Chambers
I first saw Terry back around 1990 (when I first started attending Water of Life). Over the years of listening to him, I saw him as a pattern of how to humble one’s self. I have practiced some of the things that he has taught me. I thank God for him. I miss listening to him, but I know that he is in paradise (Luke 23:43).- Richard Lee Hemphill
Our love and prayers to all of you.
God grant you a flood of memories to sustain you
and the peace that only comes from the Father.
Til we meet again, Terry~~~ - Milton & Sharlet Ginther
How I enjoyed listening as Terri sang songs of praise, worship and adoration unto our LORD.
Though I never met him in person, I felt like I knew him and therefore will truly miss that rich and eloquent voice as I view the broadcasts over the internet weekly. I am praying that God will strengthen you, Doyle, Kathy, your three daughters, all family members, friends and congregation. Pauline Hymon(Stockbridge, GA) - Pauline Hymon
Kathy and girls,
So sorry for your loss. May God and his Christ Jesus be the true Shepard and Bishops of your souls. May they lead you into all truth with no fear--only love, joy and peace. May God be your husbandman and speak to you with that still, small voice saying so you understand, "Turn this way or avoid this way, this is the wrong path. May you only be obedient and led by God.- Barb Carter
I Thank God for Terry and the Gospel he shared through his life.
God Bless- Paula Sanders
We will greatly miss our dear friend Terry. Kathy we will be praying for you, the girls and Doyle.
Love you all,God bless you.- Ralph,Vaughn & Margie Head
We will miss Terry. Our hearts go out to Kathy, Candace, Ashley
and Rachel. We will be praying for you in the days ahead.
Bob and Judy
- Bob and Judy Buckner
It was an honor to have known Terry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
May the peace of God abide with you all.- Bob & Debbie Pierce
Advised today of Terry's recent death, and am so sorry for his family! I regret that I have had no contact with Terry since our high school days, singing in the Russell High School Concert Choir. I too was a second bass. We surely have sat adjacent to each other well over a hundred times. He could easily hit a low E, leaving me in his dust. He was a kind and generous fellow whose presence will be missed, and his life respected and appreciated! ahh..one..andah..two...- Clair L. Swann, MD, San Jose, Ca.
Thanks for all the wonderful memories and voice that i will always cherish.He touched alot of lives. And he will always smile down on everyone from heaven.And Kathy our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.- Walter E Hamm Jr.
Uncle Terry will be truely missed. He was a blessing to all who met him. I look forward to hearing God's chior now that Uncle Terry has joined with his voice. God bless you all. All my love and prayers.- Audrey Siebert
Terry Mai blessed me greatly with his faith towards God. He was the one from Water of Life who always acknowledge everyone and welcomed us. On many occasions he prayed for me and the power of God ministered to me and set me free. On one occasion, when I was going through the toughest time of my life, Terry spoke a word to me that ministered great faith to my heart and carried me through with confidence that God was with me in my time of trouble. I have always believed Terry to be my brother in Christ and am blessed to have received ministry from him through prayer and worship. God bless his beautiful family- marie jane heath
Hello Again Kathy,
Blessings to you Kathy And to
Candance,Ashley And Rachael.
Praise Be To Our Father And of Jesus.
Praise Be To Father And of Jesus That Terry is Most Certainly Alive In His Presence !
I Thank Father And of Jesus For Terry And I Thank Father And of Jesus For You Kathy.
Be Continuiously Blessed Forever More.
Georgann
- Georgann McDuffey
God bless you Kathy and girls. Terry will be deeply missed. We know he is with the Lord, singing his praises with the Lord not to him.
Love-N-Prayers
Linda and family
- Linda Mai
Many men claim to be a man of God. A true man of God is proclaimed by the grace of our Father. I believe Terry was a man of God and God shed his grace on thee. I'm very glad our paths crossed on earth. May God's mercy, grace and peace continue to bless you in your new life. Love Jim- Jim Fossier
Kathy and girls, our thoughts and prayers are with you and we know the strength of your belief and faith in God and his powers will get you thru this difficult time.
Monte and Janet Gardner
Bakersfield California- Janet D (Mai) Gardner
To Kathy, daughters, and entire Mai family, Terry was richly gifted with a beautiful voice that I loved to hear. Even though it's been many years since I've seen him, I still listen to his songs of praise and worship. I'll always remember Terry for his kindness toward me and many others. My heart hurts that he is gone from us, although he is with the Lord Whom he served and loved so much. From the Terrell family: Sandra, Ivanna, Amani, and Elon - Sandra Terrell
Terry was a dear friend and confidant and a man of great integrity and character. We shared many wonderful times together with him, Kathy and the girls. His praises to God will reverberate throughout eternity.
With much love,
Wally and Peggy Edge- Wally Edge
We will miss Tery very much. We both sang in the
First United Methodist Choir when Terry was our director. He was a wonderful director and everyone enjoyed his solos. He had a marvelous Bass/Baritone voice.
God bless all the family.
Charles & Wenona Carman- Charles & Wenona Carman
May all the wonderful memories you have of Terry help you through this difficult time.- Jay & Kathy Mai
Kathy ,candice and girls i am so sorry to hear of terrys passing.May GOD all of you close during this time;It only seems like yesterday Damien and candice were in school together
we are in NC now
GOD BLESS
- Evans Tim,Sybil,Damien
Terry was a powerful Bible teacher who encouraged and equipped Christians with a good foundation to become partakers of the Holy Spirit, receiving gifts and eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. He was an instructor at Water of Life Christian training class teaching the Gospel and its benefits. I am so grateful to have witnessed a faithful and righteous servant of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God continue to Bless the family and companions in the faith! - Tony Martin
Terry is a true inspiration to me. We communicated via e-mail
many times. I was so happy and impressed on how thorough he
was in answering my question or giving biblical advice. I knew
Terry truly cared, and that meant a great deal to me.
Heaven is richer with Terry's presence. I am sure Terry will be
leading a choir today as we celebrate his life.
Terry touched many hearts. i thank God for him!
Greg Evans
Southlake, TX- Greg Evans
God bless you all. All my prayers go to the family and the congregation.
- Jorie Ellen Hemphill
Kathy, Candace, Ashley and Rachel,
I thank God for your witness of strength in the Lord as you continue to praise God for His goodness. Terry's life and ministry has been a great benefit to me also in many ways and I thank God for him. The life Terry lived as a husband and father to protect, provide for and direct you is reflected in your lives today. I thank God too for this example.
Linda Murphy- Linda D Murphy
I thank God for Terry. My heart is with you Kathy and your girls at this time. I celebrate that he is with our Father in Heaven.- Kristina Campbell (TN)
I remember the first time I saw Terry on T.V. I thought to my-self,that guy has a awesome voice. The first & only time I had the pleasure & honor of meeting Terry was down in Joplin. He was glowing, the power of God was radianting off him. I've thought about dedicating a poem in his honor, but I don't think it would be good enough for some reason. We'll see. God Bless all my deepest condolences to everyone. He touched me I cried.- Ralph Ellis Longston
Our deepest condolences and profound sympathy. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Joe & Nancy Still, neighbors @ 301 Clearcrest Drive- Joe & Nancy Still
I have not seen Terry in probably 30 years, since he sang at my
wedding. But I've thought a lot about him today. I played on
softball teams with him when were in college in Denton and I
believe we even worked together at a job or two.
I remember him as big and strong, someone I admired and
would liked to have had as an older brother. Sadly I moved away
from the area and did not keep in touch.
It's hard to think back on my wedding without thinking of him in
the choir loft, singing. Every time I have had that thought, I
thought I'd like to catch up with Terry but never did.
I'm not at all surprised to find he's been doing the Lord's work
all these years and I'm happy for all those whose lives he's
enriched. At the same time I mourn their loss. I'll join them in
missing him.- Dave Rogers
God bless the Mai girls, the Mai family, and Doyle Davidson. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him personally and by those he ministered to by worship. I am glad to have met him in October of 2008 in Plano and to have heard him lead worship in person. He is with the Father, how good and pleasant it is.
Josie Fernandez and famiy
Los Angeles, CA- Josie Fernandez
We were deeply saddened and will miss Terry very much. We know
that God's ways are not ours and each of us he deals with. We are
grateful to God for having given us Terry and his obedience to
serve God and His people. We thank God that he had the
oppurtunity to meet and talk to Terry through the years. We pray
for your continual strength and healing. We are thankful because he
is in the prescence of the Almighty and our Lord and brother, Jesus
Christ.
Love,
Bill & Stella (Anaheim, CA) - William & Stella Hammon
I appreciate the praises I heard Terry sing and I know all will be well with Kathy and the girls.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Michelle Redd- Michelle Redd
Terry was always a blessing to us.- Angela Cortez
Terry has always been a positive role model in my life, I believe I was 4 years old when I met him, and I have always looked up to him. I used to enjoy his singing and his kind words everytime we spoke. He sang at my grandmothers funeral and has all of my respect. He is truly a man of God and is with him now. - Randy D Thompson
I thank God for Terry Mai. I appreciate his humility and commitment to God and his people. The memories of his voice and ministry will always be cherished. God knows his labor of love and I am proud to have personally shared the goodness of God with him. Kathy my thoughts and prayers go out to you, your daughters and your entire family.- Tree of Life International Ministries, Riverside, CA Bryan Bonner
I knew Terry at Ft. Hays State. He was a really great person and a wonderful singer. He was a little older that me, but we really looked up to the older musicians as our guidance. He was a really nice fellow. He was from Russell, KS like one of my best friends and great singers, Marilyn Miller.- Joyce Pennington Smith
He was a great wonderful man!:) I went to his church! And he is probably the most awesomeness persons I have met!:)- Ellen Jean Hemphill
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