Terry Chesney

Terry Chesney passed away February 28, 2022, after a long illness. He was 69.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Fruita Christian Church at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Terry was born June 17, 1952, to George Chesney and Jeanne (Dobbins) Chesney in Burlington, CO. His brothers are Ray Chesney (son Chris) of Fruita, CO and Kevin Chesney (Chun) of Cedaredge, CO. He spent his childhood having the opportunity to live in various states in the western part of the US as his father worked primarily in drilling. He lived off and on in Fruita, Colorado and has many relatives in the area. He graduated from Craig, Colorado and received a degree in Geology from Mesa State College in 1974.

On September 21, 1973, he married Kathy (Watson) Chesney in Fruita, Colorado. The highlights of their life together were their four children. Mike Chesney of Grand Junction Colorado, Kevin Chesney of Grand Junction Colorado, Candice (Chesney) Demerly, husband Craig of Mack, Colorado. Brian Chesney, wife Kaila of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Terry had a quiet and playful enjoyment of his grandchildren, Kyle, Nevaeh, Scott, Kent, Lucas, Jagger, Isaac, Joshua, and Caleb.

Terry enjoyed the outdoors - he liked to grab a bag of jerky and go fishing. It seemed he could catch a fish any time his hook hit the water. He also like to hunt fossils (first date with Kathy) and has some amazing pieces to pass on to his kids and grandkids. “Dragging” North Avenue and racing now and then was always fun. Lots of good memories there! Then there was the occasional 4-wheeling fishing trip in the Shelby. The family liked to ride motorcycles on weekends and 4-wheeling in our Bronco. The love for 4-wheeling and motorcycle riding (add some horseback riding) carried onto the next generation. Mustangs, Broncos, and motorcycles, still being enjoyed by his kids and now, grandkids.

Terry had many gifts. One in particular, he was an amazing artist and created beautiful paintings with in-depth use of color. All four of his children are also amazing artists. He could design and build just about anything. His children are the same.

Terry had several fields of employment throughout his life and always joked about wondering what he wanted to do when he grew up. Early on, he and his brothers and brother-in-law owned a drilling company in Grants, New Mexico until he moved his growing family back to Fruita in 1978. He began working in welding and pipe fitting and was asked to teach welding at Mesa State College, which he declined. He was a principal and teacher at Emmanuel Christian Academy and could actually make diagramming a sentence understandable. The students there touched his heart deeply. Eventually, Terry spent his last years of work having a small Backhoe business called K.C. Backhoe, affectionately named after Kathy.

Terry accepted the Lord February 1980. A scripture that was on his heart from that time on was Hebrews 4:9-14. It has to do with entering into His rest. He found that rest here and thankfully he will have it forever.