Terry Doxey

Terry Lee Doxey passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025. Terry was born on June 17, 1950, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Clare Lee Doxey and Joan (Leedy). Terry was an avid long-distance runner at Gobles High School (1968) where many of his track records remain unbroken. He earned a Track scholarship and attended Eastern Michigan University. His passion for running continued his entire life and he ran the Boston Marathon three times. In 1970, he joined the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict and completed Active Duty with an Honorable Discharge in 1972. He married Deb (Cook) in 1974. They raised two boys, Chad and Brad, until both sons graduated High School, then Terry and Deb went separate ways. Terry worked at Clausing Corporation until 1976. He was a substitute teacher for Kalamazoo County until he finished his teaching degree at Western Michigan University (1980). He was hired as a teacher and taught K-8 at Parchment Public Schools (1980 – 1985) and coached baseball, softball, track, volleyball, and basketball. He was hired by the United States Postal Service (USPS) as a clerk in 1985. As a USPS employee, he also was a training instructor for employee hazmat and safety classes. In 2000, Terry asked co-worker, Christine (Drum), out for lunch and soon the two became best friends. In 2001, they married and together they blended the families. After he retired from the USPS in 2010, he worked part-time as a K-12 substitute teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools. In 2015, Terry joined his wife, Christine, to attend Western Michigan Thomas Cooley Law School (WMU-Cooley). He graduated Cum Laude, with Christine, in September 2019 earning a Juris Doctorate. During Law School, Terry served as Vice-President of the Lansing Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, was a member of Phi Delta Phi (PDP) Legal Honor Society, coordinated with students to re-establish the Sports and Entertainment Society (SELS), and served as Treasurer when establishing a new PDP chapter on the Grand Rapids WMU-Cooley facility. As a WMU-Cooley student, Terry also volunteered at the Lansing VITA Organization, the "Asset Independence Coalition (AIC)" where he worked with the public doing taxes and connecting individuals with agencies offering various financial and education programs. Terry also volunteered at the Lansing Dispute Resolution Center (2017-2020) as a mediator where he found his true calling. He traveled through-out Michigan in various courts mediating landlord/tenant and civil mediation cases. In 2020, the Center hired him as Assistant Program Director. He was certified as both civil and domestic mediator, conducting over 1200 cases. In 2022, he joined Signature Solutions as a mediator and, as a team member, he participated in several video-podcasts educating the benefits of Restorative Justice and mediation. Terry was a beloved individual in the Lansing Legal Community. Signature Solutions will be dedicating a department, in his name, in a Celebration of Life ceremony later this summer. Terry was also a sports enthusiast. His favorite baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals, but he also enjoyed traveling to Detroit to watch the Tigers. He watched all sports that encompassed both professional and college. He knew the star player's names, stats, and info encompassing Track and field, baseball, football, golf, cycling, and basketball. He loved playing golf with his USPS co-workers. Terry was preceded by his father Clare and both his brothers, Dave (Christine) and Mark (Cindi). He is survived by his mother; Joan, his wife; Christine, His two sons; Brad and Chad, and blended family children; Christy Verile, Mike (Becky) McMasters, his sisters Connie (Bob) Weaver, Karen Reidt, Grandchildren; Skylar (Eli), Austin, Dylan, Jacob, Tyler, Lief, Zoe, and Finn. Blended family grandchildren; Calib, Kyle (Maddie), Katie (Ollie), Kevin, Colton, Jacob, Kelsea, and Levi. Four great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Langeland Funeral Home (3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (across from USPS facility)). Friends may visit with the family from 12:00-1:00 PM followed by the service at 1:00 PM. There will be a luncheon immediately after service provided by the family at the Langeland Funeral Home. A private family graveside will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors.