Terry D. Gholson

Terry Duane Gholson of Johnston, 68, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Bickford Care Center of Urbandale with his wife, Karen and sister, Traci at his side. He had battled Dementia for 4-1/2 long years.

Terry was born on August 30, 1954 at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, CA to Richard and Leona (Prehm) Gholson. After his father exited the military, the family resided in the Iowa towns of Ames, Mt Pleasant, Tipton and Grand Mound.

Terry graduated in 1972 from DeWitt Central High School – a star athlete competing in Baseball, Track, Basketball and Football. He worked in a number of positions after graduation included Mississippi Engineering (Grand Mound) and McAllister Seeds (Mt Pleasant). Terry found his calling in the trucking industry. He moved furniture with Bekins (Iowa City) and Lint United Van Lines (Des Moines). He then worked in safety, recruiting and sales for Crouse (Carroll), West End (Cedar Rapids), Barr Nunn and Stonehocker Atlas in the Des Moines area. He finished his career as a driver for Highway Mail (Grimes). Terry loved the freedom of being on the road.

On May 5, 1990, Terry married Karen Sothman. They welcomed Zebulon in 1991 and Taryn in 1994 to their family. They resided in Des Moines, Carroll and Newhall before settling in Grimes.

His love for sports and his athletic ability was passed on to his children. He especially loved to play catch and spend time with them on the golf courses of Iowa, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Jamaica and Hawaii!! Terry was an avid Hawkeyes and Bears fan. He enjoyed watching sports on TV and attending as many of his children's activities/games as he could.

Terry loved to read westerns and listened to many books on tape to pass the time on the road. His driving led him to all 48 states and family trips to Alaska and Hawaii got him to 50. He especially enjoyed their time in Hawaii!!!

Terry was hard working and his passion for life, adventure, and clearly expressing himself will not soon be forgotten. He never met a stranger wherever he traveled.

Terry is survived by his wife, Karen of Johnston; his son, Zebulon of Grimes; his daughter, Taryn (Branden) Stubbs of Pleasant Hill and their 4 children, Branden Jr., Jemma, David and Lyla; sisters, Tamara Bavendam of Nashville and Traci Nicholson of Winfield, IA; brothers, Tim (Deana) Gholson of Iowa City and Troyt (Karla) Gholson of Newton; brother-in-law Rodney (Malena) Sothman of Cumberland and sister-in-law Delores Sothman (Dee Ferguson) of Cumberland. Like his father, Terry enjoyed children and his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews always made him smile.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Leona; his grandparents; Karen's parents, Kermit and Norma Jean Sothman; and his life-long best friend, Ed Malmanger, Jr.

Visitation will be held from 11-2 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines with services at 2:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Terry. Online condolences may be expressed at HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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