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Terry Furlow

December 2, 1959 - January 12, 2018
Auburn, IN

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Life Story / Obituary


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Although he was taken from us much too soon, Terry Furlow made a significant impact in the lives of everyone he met. He was a hardworking man who took his role as provider to heart, even if it meant working countless hours every week. Terry’s devotion to his family was unmatched, and there was nothing he loved more than being surrounded by their love. Friendly and outgoing, he had a warm and approachable demeanor that drew others near with ease. Even when facing trials, Terry carried himself with strength and courage. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

It seems only fitting that Terry’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s when Marilyn Monroe and James Dean were big names on the silver screen and Elvis Presley took the music world by storm with his rock n’ roll music. Our nation was growing, too, as it was by the end of the decade that we became a nation of 50 states with the addition of both Alaska and Hawaii. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1959 when John Russell Furlow, Jr. and Cynthia Janice (Nowels) Rensberger were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as December dawned that year. Their wait was over on December 2nd when the baby boy they named Terry Lee drew his first breath in McCray Hospital in Kendallville, Indiana.

In many ways Terry was a young boy of his generation. He was raised in the family home on Cree Lake, and he loved water skiing in the summer, sledding during the winters, and playing baseball and youth football as well. Terry’s father was a design engineer with International Harvester while his mother worked as a buyer, also at International Harvester. An all American kid, Terry loved having fun and riding his bike with the "Cree Lake Gang". A favorite fun memory was Terry driving the lawn mower as fast as he could around the yard with Gary in the trailer. It was all fun and games until Gary went flying out of the trailer! When he was 11 years old, Terry had a small speed boat that he worked on to get running and he ended up sinking it on Cree Lake! Terry loved competitive sports. He played baseball and basketball and wrestled when he was young. In high school he played football at East Noble. He loved show skiing at area lakes as well as car detailing and the demolition derby at the county fair.

After graduating from East Noble High School in 1978, Terry was eager for all that life had in store. He worked in the carpentry and brick laying trades, and he made these trades his career. Over the years, Terry worked in carpentry and union construction throughout all of Northern Indiana. Life became exciting for Terry when he met the woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Cindy Gallagher, and although they later divorced, Terry was always so grateful for the births of their two boys, Travis and Tad.

There was never anything of greater importance in Terry’s life than his family. He forever considered the days his boys were born to be the greatest days of his life. There were numerous memorable experiences including trips to Louisiana, Florida, many NASCAR trips to the Indianapolis and Michigan. Terry loved cooking for his children, and to say that he was neat and clean might be an understatement. He was very active in the lives of his children, and he loved watching them take part in all their events and activities. In addition, Terry looked forward to family gatherings. At times Terry worked two jobs, after hours and on the weekends, to provide a comfortable life for his boys. They had some family pets over the years, but his favorites were Spuds, the pit bull, Penny, a mix, and Bandit, the cat.

Throughout his life Terry was one to keep busy. He was a huge sports fan who also loved coaching the youth baseball and football teams for the Rome City Elementary School. Among his favorite teams were the Chicago Bears, Indiana Hoosier basketball, and Chicago Bulls, and he also loved NASCAR racing. Terry loved Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr., and he he made many trips to watch races in person. He loved building model airplanes and model cars, and in the summer he was always on the water whether he was skiing or boating. During the winter Terry liked driving snow machines. He was meticulous when it came to keeping his home and his car clean, and Terry also made sure he looked his best. When it came to music, Terry loved classic rock.

All who knew Terry Furlow would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was a hardworking and an amazing provider for his family who demonstrated what it means to remain strong in the face of challenges. Terry loved playing jokes on his mother and made life so much fun. A friend of Terry’s was a friend for life, and his boys were his greatest source of pride and joy. Life will never be the same without Terry here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

Terry Lee Furlow, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 12, 2018, at his home in Auburn, Indiana. Terry’s family includes his son, Travis Furlow of Auburn; son, Tad Furlow and his girlfriend, Anna Harden both of Kendallville; mother, Cynthia Rensberger of Kendallville; father, John Furlow and Donna Waikel of Barton Lake, Fremont; brother, Gary and Trish Furlow of Sylvan Lake, Rome City; sister, Jan Furlow Richards of Chicago, Illinois; step-sister, Jan Noll of Angola; step-brother, Chris Rensberger of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Riley and Dorothy Nowels; paternal grandparents, Russ and Billie Furlow; and aunt and uncle, Sylvia and Jim Post. There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Terry’s life on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Rome City United Methodist Church. Gathering will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the celebration of life service will be at 12:00 noon with a luncheon following the service. Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.

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