Terry Leon Favinger, 72, died August 16, 2026, in Hill City, Kansas. He was born May 14, 1954, in Hoxie, Kansas.
Terry Favinger did not just live a life. He lived a life full of stories. If you knew Terry, chances are you became part of more than a few of them.
Terry grew up in Hill City, Kansas. His love for baseball started at a very young age. He became an exceptional pitcher. His talent eventually caught the attention of the Kansas City Royals. They invited him to participate in their tryouts three summers in a row. Terry went on to attend Garden City Community College on a baseball scholarship. Baseball was a big part of his younger years. It also showed the competitive spirit and determination that would stay with him throughout his life.
As a young man, Terry spent a great deal of time in Morland, Kansas. He worked and farmed alongside his grandfather. It was also there that Terry’s spirit began to take shape. Terry started painting houses and turned his hard work into his first real business. Before long, it seemed like he had painted nearly every house in Morland. What started with a paintbrush and a willingness to work became the first chapter in a lifetime of being a remarkable businessman.
Morland also brought something much more important into Terry’s life. It was where he met Roberta. Their first date was an outdoor movie at the drive-in theater. From there, Terry’s story became the story of Terry and Roberta. They built a family together, built businesses together, faced hard times and celebrated good ones, shared adventures and ultimately built a life together.
Terry eventually went to work in the oil field. He spent years learning the business firsthand. That eventually led him to become the owner and operator of X-Pert Service Tools. Terry built the company into a successful business that supplied materials and equipment to the oil field industry for many years. That was Terry. He wasn’t afraid to work. He wasn’t afraid to take a chance. When he saw an opportunity, he went after it.
Terry had a rare gift for storytelling. He could take you back to a hunt or fishing trip. He could tell you about a baseball game, a day at the marina or an adventure from years ago. Before long, you felt like you had been there with him. His stories were unforgettable, some unbelievable and many were funny. All of them were unmistakably Terry. That was a big part of what made time with him so memorable.
That same spirit eventually led Terry and Roberta to Lake Wilson Marina at Wilson Lake. The marina was struggling when they purchased it. Terry and Roberta poured themselves into the business. They worked long hours and did whatever needed to be done. Together, they transformed the marina into one of the leading marinas in Kansas. The marina’s success belonged to both of them. Terry and Roberta built it side by side. It became one of the proudest chapters of their life they shared.
When Terry wasn’t working, there was a good chance he was outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. These weren’t casual hobbies for Terry. They were passions. He became an accomplished hunter and harvested numerous trophy deer with both archery equipment and firearms. He was just as comfortable on the water. Over the years, Terry caught many remarkable fish, including world-class striped bass.
Terry was also a certified scuba diver. He loved being outdoors and he loved the challenge of it all. Most of all, he loved the experiences and Terry being Terry, there was usually a good story that came out of them.
Throughout most of Terry’s life, there was always a dog close by. He was rarely without one by his side. They went where Terry went. They were with him at home, at work and on many of his adventures. They were not simply pets to Terry. They were family. Anyone who knew him can probably picture Terry, right now, with one of his dogs close beside him.
Terry also loved his friends. He truly valued time spent with them. Sometimes it was an adventure. He believed in hard work and personal responsibility. He believed in independence and earning your own way. These weren’t simply things Terry talked about. They were principles he lived by.
Terry knew what he believed. Everyone who knew him also knew he was not shy about saying it. He was a proud Republican and a strong conservative. He believed in hard work and personal responsibility. He believed in independence and earning your own way. These weren’t simply things Terry talked about. They were principles he lived by.
Terry was also proud to be an organ donor. He found comfort in knowing that even after his death, he might be able to help someone else. To Terry, it was one final opportunity to do some good and possibly give another person more time with the people they loved.
Everyone who knew Terry will remember him a little differently. Some will remember the talented young pitcher from Hill City. Some will remember the businessman who never backed away from a challenge. Others will remember the hunter or fisherman. Some will immediately picture him at Wilson Lake. Others will see Terry with one of his loyal dogs at his side and a whole lot of people will remember sitting with Terry when another story began. You knew you might be there for a while. But you stayed because you wanted to hear how it ended.
Terry worked hard. He took chances. He built things that lasted. He loved his dogs. He treasured his friends. He stood firmly for what he believed. He loved Roberta, and he was immensely proud of his family.
Terry didn’t just tell stories. He lived the kind worth telling. Those stories now belong to the people who loved him. They will be told around kitchen tables and on boats. They will be remembered in deer blinds and at family gatherings.
They will come back during quiet moments when someone thinks of Terry and smiles.
Sooner or later, someone will say: “Do you remember when Terry…”, and just like that, Terry will be right there with them again.
For everything Terry accomplished in his life, nothing made him prouder than his family. Baseball brought him great memories. He built successful businesses. He harvested trophy deer and caught remarkable fish. He helped turn a struggling marina into something special. He had adventured, most people could only dream about. But nothing meant as much to Terry as the people he loved. His family was the center of his world. They were what he was most proud of. They were his greatest accomplishment and will always be his greatest legacy.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Floy Clark, father; Donald Favinger, brothers: Arlan Favinger and Bevan Favinger and partner in life, Lori Schindler, niece; Samantha Jo Favinger.
Surviving relatives; wife; Roberta Favinger, daughters; Dionna King, husband Calvin, Danielle Knoll, husband Jarrod, son; Trever Favinger. Grandchildren; Alexis and Wyatt Knoll, Ethan, Jaxx and Stella King. Mother; Mona Brady.
No services are planned at this time.