Terry R. Schoeni
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Terry R. Schoeni
“I’ve always thought of myself as a farmer.”
Terry Schoeni was born and raised in north central Kansas, one of a long line of Schoenis to make a home and life farming wheat and milo, watching the skies, and tucking things away – just in case you might need them later. He loved the land and talked fondly of puttering around the farm with his grandpa and dad. He played a variety of sports growing up, even becoming a star basketball player at Kensington High School (he had the self-typed stats to prove it!). After graduation (his class was 14 strong), he signed up for ROTC and attended the University of Kansas, the start of a lifelong love of all things Jayhawk. On Mount Oread, at the Wesley Foundation, he met Libby Fly and the two fell in love.
“I love you, Libby. Always have. Always will.”
Terry and Libby married in 1962 and moved to Utah, where Terry served in the Air Force. Too tall to sit in a cockpit, he signed up for and completed the meteorology program. This led them to Montgomery, Alabama, where their first child, Christa, was born, and then to the National Weather Service in the Kansas City area, where children David and Brian were born. As Terry and Libby’s family grew, he worked rotating shifts and made a career in meteorology, watching workplace tools evolve from colored pencils, punch cards and ticker tape to high-speed computers. Coworkers respected his skills and steady demeanor, saying, “I think we all behaved better when we were around Terry.” His love of weather put him in the middle of forecasting severe storms for the US, all while teaching his family about clouds and weather — and watching for tornadoes from the open garage whenever the sirens sounded.
He encouraged his kids in school, sports and music (“I pay for the lessons”) and later enjoyed hearing his kids’ thoughts about what was going on in the world. He and Libby were immersed in life at Asbury United Methodist Church, and even though Libby may have taken the lead, he left his mark — singing in the choir, fixing things around the building, and leading and participating in committees, mission trips, and Stephen Ministries.
Terry and Libby celebrated 62+ years of marriage, with Terry telling her “I don’t know why you picked the skinniest farm boy in Kansas … but I’m glad you did.”
“An expert at nothing; an enjoyer of many things.”
Terry was quiet and gentle (except when “critiquing” the refereeing during basketball games), and always hoped to do right by others. He enjoyed many pursuits after retiring, including woodworking — making scores of pens, puzzles and holiday decorations, as well as many other projects — all finished with exacting precision. His love of sports never waned, playing golf often and cheering on the Jayhawks and Kansas City’s pro teams (often dozing during evening televised games). Terry and Libby supported the arts, enjoying the Kansas City Symphony and the New Theater regularly. They traveled the US, the UK and parts of Europe, visiting family and exploring natural and historical landmarks. He continued his connection to weather, volunteering as an observer/reporter for the weather service, organizing and attending annual weather service picnics — and never failing to give and gather weather updates during every family call or conversation. His farm roots ran deep; he made regular visits to the family farm to putter, keep an eye on things, and feed his soul.
Terry spent the last two and a half years of his life taking care of Libby and making friends (and eating desserts) at Lakeview Village. Terry will be missed by those who knew him.
Terry Raymond Schoeni was born August 29, 1939, and died June 17, 2025, from lung failure following a bout of COVID in late January 2025. He was preceded in death by parents Beulah and Virgil and brother Don. He is survived by spouse Libby (Elizabeth); children Christa (Robert Hill), David (Laura Rasor), Brian (Megan); and grandchildren Theo, Malena, Corinne, Jonathan and Lucinda.
A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at 1 pm on July 31, 2025, at Asbury United Methodist Church at 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208. The family will visit with friends and family following the service. Also, for those unable to attend in person, you may access a live-stream and/or recording at visitasbury.org. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Cross-Lines Community Outreach (cross-lines.org) and/or Asbury United Methodist Church (visitasbury.org).
Our love and sympathies to all the Schoeni’s. Terry was someone I always looked up to literally, figuratively, and professionally (I was always a closet amateur meteorologist!). While everyone I played golf with was better than me, he was the best. Most importantly, he and Libby raised a wonderful family who will always hold a special place in my heart! May God bless you all!
I grew up in Overland Park, Kansas during the early and mid 1980s when the Schoenis lived a block over from my family. Terry knew I wanted to a be a meteorologist and we used to have discussions concerning what it would take to achieve that goal, which I did by becoming a Meteorologist with the NWS in Norman, Oklahoma. He took the time while not working shift to give a tour of National Severe Storms Forecast Center to me and my family. He also provided satellite imagery to the University of Kansas’ Atmospheric Science program for their Satellite Meteorology course while I was attending KU for my Atmospheric Science degree. Terry was an influence on me and I considered him a mentor. My thoughts are with Libby, Christa, David, and Brian during this time.
I am saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. He was my supervisor the last several years I was at NSSFC. I thoroughly enjoyed working for (and with) Terry during my 10+ years in KC. Terry’s love of sports, especially KU football and basketball was obvious. And the sports banter between himself and co-worker Sam Beckman (a K-Stater) was always entertaining. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Schoeni family. God Bless.
So sad to hear of Terri’s passing. He surely will be missed by family, friends and co-workers. He was my supervisor in the satellite unit of the NSSFC where I began my career in the NWS in 1983. Thoughtful, intelligent, patient and mentor, besides being a huge KU fan, first come to mind when I think of Terri. May God comfort Terri’s family and loved ones.
I worked with Terry while I was a summer student during 1976 and 1977. He was a super guy – friendly, smart, and always willing to answer my many questions. My condolences to the family.
Terry was a good man in every sense of the word. I will remember him best through our shared discussion in “The Exiles” and Sunday School, but I was also lucky to have a couple more individual experiences I’d like to share here. During the last year I was in Kansas, I was able to take Terry to a Jayhawks basketball game. Being with this “super fan” made an always great experience even better. On another occasion,Terry and Libby came to visit me in Prescott, AZ. It just happened that Thomas Reiter was visiting my daughter in Scottsdale at the same time. So we surprised Terry by having Thomas meet us. Thomas and Terry were “Friends in Faith” at Asbury and had a special relationship. It was so great to see them together. My life was greatly enriched by knowing Terry and Libby. Much love, Tana
I got to know Terry through the annual National Weather Service Golf Association tournaments in the 90’s, 00’s, and 10’s. He was a wonderful man with a quiet serenity and strength. He set an example for us all. Here’s to a good wood lathe and straight drives.
Terry was also a beautiful woodworker. I told his story of making beautiful Godly Play materials around the world. Wherever people make Godly Play story materials – South Africa, Latvia, Germany, South Korea – they know the story of Terry Schoeni. He was also my son’s confirmation mentor. He may have never known how much he meant to me but I will continue to tell his story and he will live on.
I was sad to hear about the death of Terry Schoeni. Terry was a frequent participant in the annual National Weather Service Golf Tournament. That’s where I got to know him. I remember him for his kind and gentle nature and for the nice wooden pens that he made as a hobby and which were used for prizes in the annual golf tournament. I still have one of them and use it every day. Rest in peace, friend.
As a colleague, mentor and friend…one of the finest gentleman on the planet! You will be missed!