Terry Edgar Rountree

Terry Edgar Rountree, a kind, funny, and loving man whose greatest joy was teaching and creating for his family, passed away peacefully at home in Buda, Texas, on November 30, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born in Glencoe, Oklahoma, on June 13, 1940, to Harvey Arvilla Rountree and Anna Gertrude Pinkstaff Rountree. He married the love of his life, Shelia Kay Wheeler in 1967 and they celebrated 58 years of marriage this year. Together “Tootie” and Terry were an inspiration for lifelong partnership.

Terry began his career working as telegraph operator for the Santa Fe Railroad before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Randolph, where he traveled the Mediterranean, and served during the Cuban Blockade in 1962. After his service, he worked in manufacturing, primarily in the Aerospace industry until his retirement from Boeing Aircraft Group.  

He was an avid DIYer. Over the years he dug his own well, built fences and playsets, renovated houses, and repaired his own appliances and cars. He was also an ambitious gardener who, with Shelia, grew the best tomatoes and blackberries in the family. He was the proud class reporter for Ark City High School class of 1958. Terry was also a lifelong University of Oklahoma sports fan.  

A born teacher, Terry loved to pass on skills to those he loved, from teaching his children a love of reading and language, to how to use power tools.  He also created a beloved family tradition by teaching his children and grandchildren to play Mahjongg. His playful nature was evident in his love for games, playing word games with his kids on road trips. He had a penchant for funny hats—he never met a hat he didn’t want to wear, leading to many treasured and often hilarious family photos.

Terry was a restless explorer, always seeking his next adventure. After retiring, he and Shelia spent five incredible years with their RV on the open road, crisscrossing the continent. They visited all 50 states, using planes, trains and boats to reach Alaska and Hawaii. 

Terry loved his family fiercely. His wife, children, and grandchildren were his life’s most treasured achievement. The family will deeply miss his voice, his steady guidance, his joking, and the constant care he showed for all of them. 

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Gertrude (who tragically passed away within a month of one another in 1975), and his sister, Darlene in 2007.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shelia; his daughter Jane Livingston (Bert Lott); his son Jeff Rountree (Asmita Savalia); and his four amazing grandchildren, Mia Livingston-Edwards, Rowan Lott, Jay Rountree, and Asha Rountree.

A celebration of Terry’s life will take place over Memorial Day weekend in Arkansas City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Terry's memory to the Sarcoma Foundation of America (curesarcoma.org).