Terry L. Gallion, M.D., 60, of Leawood, Kansas, died July 29, 2018, of colorectal cancer. He is survived by his wife, Sue Lowell Gallion, his daughter, Katherine Gallion, his son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Becca Gallion, two grandsons, Jackson and Benjamin Gallion, his sister and brother-in-law, Tammy and Steve Hill of Plano, Texas, his five nieces and nephews, his dog, Tucker, and extended family and friends.
Terry was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1957 to Bettie Jo (Wall) and Jay Gallion. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.S. in chemistry in 1979. Terry and Sue met at SMU and married in 1983. Their son, Matt, was born in 1988 and their daughter, Katherine, was born in 1992.
Terry earned his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, in 1982. He continued his training there with a five-year residency in general surgery and a two-year residency in thoracic surgery. He trained under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and Dr. George L. Jordan, Jr., among others.
Terry’s training and his years of practice were characterized by attention to detail. His dedication to his patients continued throughout their pre- and post-operative care. He valued the work and expertise of all the members of his surgical team. He appreciated his long-time partners and medical colleagues.
Among those who knew him well, Terry was legendary for his dry wit. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He enjoyed attending all of his family’s activities and supported them in their interests.
Terry was interested in anything to do with cars, particularly Camaros and Corvettes, and enjoyed his friendships with other “car guys.” He also was a fan of sports car racing. Terry loved riding his bicycle and followed cycling, particularly Le Tour de France. He loved snow skiing, water skiing, swimming, working out at the gym, and traveling with his family. Some of his family’s favorite memories are of their vacations together to Yellowstone and other national parks, Alaska, Hawaii, and their ski trips in Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Canada.
Following his training in Houston, Terry practiced surgery for two years in Napa, California. The family moved to Leawood when he joined Thoracic and Vascular Surgeons in private practice in the Kansas City area in 1992. Throughout his career he practiced primarily at Centerpoint, Menorah, Baptist, Independence Regional, and Research hospitals. He was a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of The Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society. Terry was board certified in general surgery, thoracic surgery, and critical care.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 4, at 2 p.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall, Kansas City, Missouri, with a reception following at the church.
Per Terry’s request, instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd. Kansas City, Missouri 64137; Heart of America Council of Boy Scouts of America (please designate as Terry Gallion memorial), 10210 Holmes Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64131-4212, Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, or the charity of your choice.
Thank you so much to family, friends, neighbors, and the medical professionals who have supported Terry and all of us with such care since his diagnosis with rectal cancer in December 2013. We appreciate your prayers, your understanding, and your kindness.
II Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
I grew up with Terry and went all the way through school with him. We spent countless hours riding our bicycles all over Oak Cliff the part of Dallas we grew up in. He was one of the nicest guys and just all around good guys I have had the fortune of knowing. Rest in peace old friend. My thoughts are with the family at this tough time.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Terry’s family. I met Terry in the second grade. Terry was one of my fellow classmates that always excelled intellectually. It is clear by his professional accomplishments and specialty board certifications,that he continued in that manner for the duration of his life. Being a former critical care nurse, I am saddened that the world of healthcare has lost a giant of a practitioner. I am even more saddened that a friend has been taken much to soon. Rest in peace Dr. Gallion. I will see you again someday.
It’s hard to convey the thoughts and memories from a wonderful group of friends who grew up together. It’s even harder to process losing one of those close friends. Terry has joined too many of “our gang” who have left us to soon. My prayers are for the family.
Sending prayers of comfort to Sue and her family. Our families are connected in so many ways, and our time in Houston together as young adults navigating the wonders of parenthood is a special memory.
Terry was a wonderful man and he will be missed by so many.
Sending prayers to Sue and Terry’s entire family. Dr. Gallion was a wonderful physician and individual who treated every patient with respect and dignity. Dr. Gallion will be missed by all who knew him.
So very, very sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. Sending much love to Sue and family. May your sweet memories give you strength as you go through this time of sorrow.
My thoughts and prayers go to Sue and your circle of family and friends. Terry will be dearly missed by all.
Wishing comfort and peace to all who loved Terry.
Terry and I were pledge brothers at Sigma Chi Fraternity at SMU. Terry was voted Best Pledge. He then devoted his academic career to getting into medical school. After that, training and more training until he became a leading surgeon in Kansas City. In all that Terry set out to do in his life, he did his very best. We will miss Terry, but always remember him.
I met Terry at Sigma Chi at SMU. I pledged the semester after him. Interesting that I am here in Ohio right now at the annual Sigma Chi workshop known as BLTW. Terry was a great role model for the younger brothers in showing them that one could be in a fraternity and still get into med school ! He has left us much too soon. All honor to his name!
Words are difficult for me to find at this time. Terry was a wonderful friend, brother, husband, dad, uncle, son, physician….so much more. Terry and I became close friends in high school, continued as close fraternity brothers in college, we married into the same family, on and on. Although we had not stayed in close touch in recent years, I always treasured Terry as one of my closest friends, more like a brother. He was a wonderful uncle to my children and I’ll always be thankful for that. Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Goodbye, sweet Terry
You have left us much too soon. I will miss you and always have fond memories of you and all the things we have done together over the years, in Napa, Kansas City and at family reunions all over the place.
Dearest love always from Aunt Win
Sue, I am so sorry for this great loss you and your family have experienced. My warmest thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you. May the love and support you have for one another carry you forward through this very tough time.
Words can’t adequately express how sorry I am for Sue, her children, and her grandchildren at the loss of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Here’s hoping that time and the comfort of memories of sustain, support and comfort the Gallion family.
Ann
Dear Sue, Katherine, Matt and the many loving family members and friends, We are praying for blessed peace in this time of sorrow. Knowing how much that you loved your husband, father, and friend — we believe that Terry was very aware of all the love that has surrounded him during his life and especially, since his diagnosis. We are thinking of you with great affection.
Lisa, Steve, Jenny, Stephanie, Georgia
I’m so, so sorry for your loss Sue, Matt and Katherine as you cope with life without Terry. I loved his dry humour, slow sweet smile and velvety voice as we enjoyed many activities and visits over the years at our various family reunions. I know he will leave a hole in your hearts and lives. Know that you are loved dearly. Love and hugs, Pat
Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you & your family been going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jenny
My life was enriched by my time with Terry from 2001 thru 2009. I was chief of Pathology at IRHC and Centerpoint, worikng with Terry. He was always such an amazing person to work with and be around. Of all the things I miss, he was one of the most. I was even active after I made a job relocation, very much active in trying to get him to move to my new location in SC. Thought I almost had him. I never had the pleasure of getting to meet his family but thru all of our very personal conversations, i feel I knew them. Please know I empathize with you. I pray for God’s strength to help you thru this. Even though miles separated Terry and I, the occasional text exchanges brought warmth to my heart and sorrow to my soul to know I couldn’t hug him or share a story or two thru his battle. My prayers and sorrow to his family. I am a better physician and person from having been gifted by being able to know and work with him. He was a very dear friend. I hate that he is gone, but I smile and shed tears for the peace he now rests in. May his soul now rest in peace and all those who knew him try to live a better life in his honor.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.
Laure
Sue – I am so very sorry. I just now learned of Terry’s death. I would have been at the funeral, had I known. If you need ANYTHING, please call.
I worked with Terry as a consultant radiologist. It was a privilege to work with him. A consummate professional. I was intrigued by his demeanor..at once both supremely confident, yet coloured with humor and insight. Simply wish to express my condolences to his family. A gracious man, whom I held in highest regard. He will most surely be missed.
Terry’s generosity was greatly appreciated during our time in California. I am sorry for your loss but so glad to have appreciated the gain of his time and attention. Wishing your family all the best in your time together.
Sue, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so sorry!
Praying for you, Sue and the family! Love Susan Rush Peloquin