Terry Mack Humphries

SPRINGFIELD-Terry Mack Humphries, 68 died Saturday, January 26th at Baystate Medical Center after a courageous battle against leukemia. Born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma of Lillie and William Humphries, a career Air Force NCO, Terry lived and was educated in many cities and towns across the country. Terry obtained his B.A. and M.A. at Louisiana Tech University. Shortly after entering graduate school, Terry was drafted into the Army and sent to first Germany and then Vietnam. Commissioned as an officer, Terry obtained the rank of Captain. However Terry chose to leave the Army after his tour in Asia. In fact he never forgave President Johnson for the draft and although almost always voting for Democratic Party candidates he changed his voting registration to independent immediately upon his return to the states. Terry returned to Louisiana Tech and completed his master’s degree then accepted employment with Ohio’s (then) Department of MH/MR. His last job in Ohio was as director of a state facility for adults with developmental disabilities complicated by significant behavioral and emotional challenges. Besides cleaning up the institution and implementing appropriate programming for the residents, Terry’s work provided the state the first passing federal inspection reports it had received in decades. His last job in Ohio was closing the same facility transitioning most of these people into community settings. Terry was recruited into the UMASS doctorial program in education. While studying Terry worked for the University and at the Belchertown State School as the Director for vocational and day programming. Terry left UMASS without completing his degree turning his attention to the world of finance. For ten years he successfully managed the New Orleans office for the First Investors Corp. Terry left New Orleans settling in Springfield in 1995 so that his wife could be closer to her family. In early 2000, Terry decided to return to his first employment love and took a position with Brightside for Families and Children on the adolescent anger management unit. Working within a team of like-minded professionals, Terry was instrumental in the planning and implementation of treatment which dramatically reduced behavioral incidents and increased the motivation of the teens to follow the rules. A great joy for Terry was the occasional approach on the street by former residents thanking “Mr. H. ‘as someone who had been important in his life. Terry left Brightside to become a Developmental Skills teacher at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Springfield where he again earned great respect from staff and parents as these children with significant disabilities responded to his skills and caring. Moving to the Chicopee School system, Terry loved his years as the Chicopee High School teacher for children with Autism as he created a safe and motivating environment for their emotional, behavioral and academic growth. In turn the students and parents also loved his time with them as he was reminded whenever bumping into students and families at BJ’s. Terry retired from the Chicopee Schools in July of this year due to his illness. He hated leaving his job. Terry was a natural athlete playing baseball and basketball in school. He loved fishing (catch and release) and was an avid golfer. He was a self-taught naturalist with extensive knowledge of the world’s fauna, always on the lookout for wild animals and birds in his daily travels. Terry was a great cook, particularly fond of hot and spicy foods (he referred to these characteristics as “flavor”) plus a Sci-Fi aficionado in both print and film. Terry was a wonderful husband and friend and will be greatly missed by his wife MaryAnn Carroll-Humphries and sister-in-law Sheilah Carroll. Terry also leaves behind his sister Debra and her husband Donald Bennett of Franklin, KY; and his sister Becky Lonneman of Las Vegas, NV, his brother Phillip Humphries in Kansas plus many nieces and nephews and his special pet Mr. Pete the cat. He will also be missed by his many friends and all who were touched by his caring. Visitation will be held on February 5, 2013 at 12 Noon at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield proceeding to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery for burial. For full details visit www.nefcc.net

Terry Mack Humphries

October 23, 1944 - January 26, 2013