Terry Wayne Schaplowsky

Graveside memorial services for Terry Wayne Schaplowsky, 63, Lawrence, will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 20, 2021, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Cherryvale, Kansas. Terry passed away March 5, 2021. All are welcome to attend. (The family requests all guests wear face masks and practice social distancing.)

Terry was born April 25, 1957, in Independence, Kansas. He was the third of five children born to August “Augie” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Molidor) Schaplowsky. As a young man, Terry attended Cherryvale High School, where he was active in sports and student council. His hard work ethic started early as he and his brother mowed neighborhood lawns and worked for local businesses in their free time.

After high school, Terry attended Kansas State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Industries in 1979. He immediately went to work for K-State at their Eastern Kansas Research & Extension Center, where he worked for 30 years and ultimately achieved the title of Center Operations Supervisor. His hard work and dedication were recognized in 2009 when he was named the KSU Research & Extension Unclassified Employee of the Year.

In 1990, Terry married Gail Courtwright. They welcomed their only child, Aidan, in 1997. The family enjoyed several trips to Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Terry and Gail served as co-scout masters for Aidan’s cub scout den. Terry and Aidan spent lots of time together riding on tractors, mowing the lawn, making snowmen, attending scouting activities and climbing castles. Aidan was his pride and joy.

Terry served his Kansas communities for over 20 years as a volunteer firefighter, first at the Stranger Township Fire Department of Tonganoxie and then at the Wakarusa Township Fire Department of Lawrence. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant, which he held for five years before being promoted to Senior Engineer. He absolutely loved being a firefighter.

After 30 years working wonders with his green thumbs for K-State, Terry went back to school and became a nurse. He always had an interest in the medical profession, so the decision to make nursing his second career was an easy one. Achieving his RN certification wasn’t as easy, but equipped with an above-average intellect, he amazed us all with this achievement in September 2015, at the age of 58. His friendly and caring demeanor made him ideal for the world of nursing.

Terry was preceded in death by his father, Augie Schaplowsky. He is survived by his mother, Betty, his sisters, Karen Carpino (Randy), Cindy Hill and Tammy Blaich (Steve), his brother Gary Schaplowsky (Mary) and his son, Aidan Schaplowsky. He will also be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, who were in awe of his Easter Egg hunting abilities. Terry’s father was the master of hiding them, and Terry was the master of finding them.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to either the Wakarusa Township Fire Department of Lawrence, Kansas or the American Horticultural Society through Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, or Wickham Family Funeral Home, Cherryvale. (warrenmcelwain.com; wickhamfamilyfuneralhome.com)