Theresa Antoinette Lucas Grist
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Theresa A. “Tery” Grist, the beloved wife of Ken Grist, died as a result of injuries suffered from a golf cart roll-over accident at her and Ken’s cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks. A celebration of life will be held at Heartland, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Mo 64133, from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
Tery was born in La Mesa, California, on September 4, 1953. Her parents, Benedict and Dorothy Lucas with Tery’s three brothers; Benedict (AKA Butch), Francis (AKA Skip) and Tom settled on a small farm near Ophir, California. Tery was raised a country girl, raising livestock, riding horses and active in 4H programs. Tery graduated from Auburn, California’s Placer High School in 1973. She attended cosmetology school after high school and was a professional hair dresser until leaving California for the midwest.
Her life in Kansas City began in 1979, but it wasn’t until 1991 that she met her husband Kenneth Grist. Both were starting second careers. Tery received an Associates Degree in Art Education from Penn Valley Community College, before transferring to Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, in her quest to be an elementary school art teacher. After completing most academic requirements she was force to put that aside, to care full time for Catherine Grist from 1993-1995 and John W. Grist from 1995-1999. After a 5 year career working for Kansas City Hospice, she again devoted her full attention to caring for her family. This time it was for her mother, Dorothy who passed away in 2007.
Tery’s health declined in the beginning of 2008, and in 2014 she received a liver transplant. We, are forever grateful to the Dr. Olson and the entire transplant staff at The University of Kansas Medical Center for the additional 4 wonderful years.
Tery was preceded in death by her parents, Benedict and Dorothy, as well as her oldest brother Benedict James Lucas and her only sister, Doreen Lucas.
Tery leaves behind her husband Kenneth, 3 step-children, Lyn, Kenny (Kerri) and Peter and 4 step-granddaughters; Madison, Abigail, Stella and Greta. Tery always said, “Ken had the kids, but she had the grandkids.” Her two brothers Francis and Tom (Terry), and a host nieces and nephews, and step-nieces and step-nephews. Also surviving are Ken’s three brothers; Wes, Gary and Robert.
If you would like to make a donation in Tery’s memory, please direct them to STAFF Animal Rescue, as she thought very highly of the work they do for stray animals. STAFF Animal Rescue, 17290 MO Highway 5, Sunrise Beach, MO 65079, (573) 374-2629
How could such a small woman leave such a big hole in this world? She was a giver, a nurturer and an eternal optimist and made everyone she met smile. We will always remember you and you are sorrowfully missed!
Ken,
I am so sorry to hear of Terri’s passing.
Peace,
Eric
Ken:
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your wife.
I will be out of the country next week and will not able to attend the service.
Your are in our thoughts.
John
Ken and Family,
Sending heartfelt condolences to you in this terribly difficult time. You are in my prayers!
Ken,
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. My thoughts are with you.
I will be out of town and will not be able to attend.
Larry
All of my regrets and sorrows. God blessing to your family and my prayers always. So sad for your sincere loss of a wonderful person.
Ken and Family,
Tery always had a smile and kind word to say to everyone she came in contact with. Our hearts are sadden by her passing. We be joining you and your family this Saturday for the celebration of her live. She, along with you, will be in our thoughts and prayers this week.
Ken, this is very sad news. Terri treated everyone like a good friend. I will always remember how she met my young daughter and sent her a frog a week later. My prayers to you and your family. Don Wilson
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss
You are in my thoughts.
Ken I only met Terri a few times but I know your love for her was unconditional. My thought and Prayers are with you and your family.
Ken, sorry to hear of your loss.
Ken,
I am so sorry to hear about Terri.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed our mushroom hunts and walks at the “swamp”!
Condolences to you and your family.
Ken,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss of a wife and best friend.
God bless!
Ken
So sorry to hear about Terri.
Be at peace knowing that she is surrounded by the glory of God.
Praying that God’s peace be with you now.
I will be out of town during the service for Terri but will attend in spirit..
…
To the Family and Friends of Theresa Grist
My heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved one and friend. My the loving and joyous spirit of her life fill your sadness with peace.
My sympathies to the Family from John Hoffman and from Wise Safety and Environmental. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family.
Dear Ken,
What a really “one of a kind”: loving, spiritual, funny, generous, artistic, gracious, forgiving, huge-hearted , forever friend. She, was a spark of the brilliant light of God. I am grateful beyond words for the years we’ve had together and all she has taught me. Chloe the cat is weeping too, as though saying, “Who will ever do my nails like Tery did?”. You chose well, Ken. You married an outstanding woman. She married the love of her life.
“What could be more intimate than holding someone in our heart?”
“For this is what the High and Lofty One says, Who lives forever and Whose Name is holy:
‘I reside in the high and holy place, but also with those crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive
the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of those being crushed.’ ” Isaiah 57:15
Ken, I am so very sorry for your great loss of your wife. God bless you and your family.
I have only known Tery a year and 1/2. In that short time her beautiful spirit touched me deeply and taught me a lot as we became friends! She was authentic and I grew to love her. She will be missed deeply by me and all the people she touched. Please accept my sincere condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family! God Bless you.
Ken,
Sorry to hear about Teri.
She will be deeply missed. You have our condolences and may god be with you.
If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.
With love,
Mike and Debbie
Ken, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Ken,
Terri was as special a woman as I have ever known. We shared many wonderful times years ago. I know that when she talked of you she spoke of how she would have died but for your care. She loved you with all her heart and soul. I pray that you will concentrate on all the very most special times the two of you shared, then she will always be with you.
Uncle Ken… all our love and sorrrow. Xo Stacy and family
Dear Ken,
We are so saddened and sorry to learn of the loss of your dear Tery. Please know we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ken,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers! Tery was a very special lady she will be missed dearly
Darla Swindell
Ken, John & I are very sorry for your loss. I first met Teri about 1980 she was very friendly, always smiling, never met a stranger and always had a hug for everyone she knew. I know what having a sole mate is about and she was yours. The only regret I have is that I didn’t spend more time with the two of you!!!!! Always remember the precious times I know there were many. Take care of yourself, you are in our prayers. Kay & John
Ken, all of your cousins and relatives out west in California and beyond are shocked and saddened by this news. While we can’t be with you during this very tough time, we are with you in spirit and in our prayers. We hope to visit you on our trip back to the midwest this fall. We pass on our sincere condolences.
Ken, Sincere condolences on the passing of your lovely wife. Such wonderful comments posted about her – she must have been a joyful and remarkable woman. Praying for God to strengthen you and grant you peace as you remember Terri.
Ken, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Loving thoughts,
Venessa
Ken-
Our sincere condolences. Tery was a wonderful person—so caring and kind. She will be greatly missed.
Ken,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your wife Theresa.
My condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
I was blessed to know her. She was a delight to be around. I Did not know Tery long but long enough to know how special she was. ??
My Condolences to you Mr. Grist and your family.
Karen Urrutia
Ken,
I am so sorry to hear of Teri’s passing. She was such a joy to be around and I know she will be missed terribly. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Sybil
Ken,
I met Tery only a few times, but she was always so sweet and kind. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
-John
Tery was truly one of the dearest friends I’ve been blessed to have. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with Ken and all who loved her.
Ken , Anne and I are so sorry to hear of your wife,s death and your loss. Her memorial service is on my oldest son’s birthday which we will be celebrating in St. Charles, but be assured you will be in our thoughts.
Ken – So sad and sorry to hear about Terri’s death. She always kept us on proper focus and her kindness and concern will be missed.
Ken,
I always enjoyed seeing Tery after our meetings in Columbia walking with your dog. I am so sorry to hear of Tery’s passing.
Ken – We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Tery – our prayers are with you and your family.
Ken words cannot express how I feel. She had so much love for you and for her family. Tery was loved by so many. We will all miss her.
As Judy and I reminisced about Tery this past week, we remembered how Ken and Tery grilled ‘hot dog dinners’ for the Sigma Nu, Kappa Nu Chapter, at the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, MO, particularly when the Chapter members and pledges were working on their homecoming float. I remember how much those ‘dinners’ meant to the Chapter and the members often spoke very fondly of both Tery and Ken.
Tery was also very supportive of Rho Chapter. She would frequently ride along with Ken and me as we drove to Rho House Corporation meetings. Tery kept the conversation lively with her wit and somewhat ‘dry’ sense of humor and therefore Tery added a certain positive energy to our drive to and from Columbia. Tery was always missed when she did not accompany Ken and me on our many trips to Columbia.
So typical of Tery, when she arrived at the Sigma Nu House, she would spend hours visiting and supporting Ruth, Rho Chapter’s housemother. Ruth so enjoyed Tery’s visits and they made a very positive difference in Ruth’s day.
As Judy and I continued our ‘Tery Conversations’ a consistent theme kept emerging and that theme included the following perceptions:
• Tery always treated everyone with respect, fairness and kindness.
• Tery had the unique ability of being intuitive regarding other people’s feelings
and always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.
• Tery was a kind, caring, honest and supportive person whose compassion,
concern and interest in others was constantly being demonstrated and will be
missed by all of us who knew and appreciated her.
Ken, Judy and I are so saddened by Tery’s passing and we are particularly saddened for you and your family during this difficult time of grief and loss.
However, as time moves forward, we hope the grief and loss you are feeling at this time will be replaced by all the wonderful memories generated by the good times you and Tery experienced together.
So sorry to hear about Terry passed away