Terry Lee Schissler, 73, of Atwood, Kansas, passed away on Monday September 7th 2020 in Seffner, Florida. Terry was born in Oberlin, Kansas to Clifford Schissler and Blanche Schissler (Simpson) on March 26th, 1947.
He went to school in Atwood Kansas prior to entering the military. He was a veteran of Vietnam and served in the Navy primarily on River Patrol Boats (PBR 104). He was awarded Combat action ribbon, National defense service medal, Republic of Vietnam campaign medal with device, Vietnam service medal with one bronze star, and Navy unit commendation with combat V.
After the military he went home to Atwood to help work in Schissler’s Body Shop that his father owned. Later moved to Davenport, Iowa to go to Chiropractic School. He worked as a machinist at Case then also worked as a well-rounded carpenter in several construction projects. In the early 80’s he moved to Florida selling insurance. He spent the rest of his career as a Kitchen Designer at Home Depot. While at Home Depot he was one of a handful selected to go to the Olympics while working there. He invited his brother Lee to join him for this historic event.
He loved riding motorcycles, hunting, and fishing. He spent the majority of his early years hunting and fishing. He regularly told stories of how he used to go out as a kid to hunt and fish to bring food back home. Terry had ordered his first shotgun on his own, without his parents knowledge when he was 12. Wow, times have changed.
Upon moving to Florida, he took up his hobby of surf fishing that he continued to do up until he was unable to. He struggled at first, as the regulars would never let him know what they were using for bait. He continued to follow his passion and became a master surf fisherman. Most people would always remember the fish fry’s he used to throw. Whether he was actually feeding you delicious pompano or messing with you and feeding you catfish, most couldn’t tell. If you ever told him you would never eat something; he would sneak it in just to get one over on you.
Terry has always had motorcycles through the years, but it wasn’t till the last 20 years it became a way of life for him. From getting his sportster in early 2000, to getting that beautiful blue Softail Deuce in ’02. Everyone knew him by his one of a kind Harleys. Terry, Craig, and Billy (The Three Amigos) rode all over Florida going to bike nights, rallies, and basically raising hell. The party never started till they showed up. Terry loved spending time with his children and making people smile and laugh by telling his jokes and stories. For anyone that spent any length of time around him, you probably walked right into at least one of his jokes.
Terry had battled cancer later in life and was able to enjoy many years of retirement. Near the end, he battled with other medical conditions relating to his military service, but rarely let that get his spirit down. He remained a prankster and joker till his peaceful end. Terry is preceded in death by Clifford Schissler (father), Blanche Schissler (mother), and Janice Kogl Schissler (Sister). Terry is survived by Son, Kyle Schissler (April). Son, Daniel Schissler (Ashley), Son, Matthew Schissler (Alana), Daughter, Kara Imbriani, Brother, Lee Schissler (Jackie), and 5 grandchildren. Austin Schissler, Mya Schissler, Masen Schissler, L.J. Collins, & Jamison Collins.
Terry will be laid to rest next to his parents in his hometown of Atwood, Kansas, at a later date. The family of Terry Schissler wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone that kept in touch with him over the years. He was great at starting a conversation with strangers and immediately making a memorable impression. He was a talker and loved to visit with people.