Presley, John Terry

Terry was a member of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus from January, 1995 until January, 2008 for a total of 29 concert seasons. I met Terry very shortly after moving to San Francisco in 1985. He was a square dancer with Foggy City Squares, as was my partner. He always admired the Gay Men's Chorus, but felt he wasn't a good enough musician to become a member. After a few years of hearing the Chorus recording as part of his home answering machine I, along with other friends, encouraged him to audition. The Chorus became a major force in Terry's Life, and Terry also became a major force in the Chorus. Terry always had a needle and thread on hand for last minute wardrobe malfunctions and speaking of wardrobe ? he was a master costumer. One of his more notable creations was a set of cow costumes for one of the Chorus's Holiday concerts. I tapped Terry to help me update the SFGMC panels of the Names Project Quilt for the 30th anniversary of SFGMC. The day he died, I saw him minutes before when I passed him some fabric just outside an Oakland BART stop. I will miss Terry forever. He last sang as a member of the Baritone section. The Chorus refers to these members who are no longer able to sing with the group as members of the "Fifth Section." They are listed Chorus programs and on the group's website: https://www.sfgmc.org/about_fifth.shtml

I have many, many memories of scores of beautiful and talented men from the chorus, but Terry was special. He lived from a place of such joy and happiness that it was natural to get caught up in it with him. A treasured memory (from 1998, when chorus was at Sydney Mardi Gras, and I was on a trip around the world) - Terry and I did a bus tour of Sydney, and we made up even gayer place names for many of the sights! I miss his joy and his kindness.

Terry will always have a very, very special place in my heart. He was the former partner, best friend and next door neighbor of my partner Stan. He loved my two daughters like they were his own children and some of my warmest and most precious memories of Terry are of the times I watched him play with my daughters. One night when my youngest daughter was just learning how to walk, he sat on the floor for over an hour with her and let her walk to him again and again, each time laughing at her laughter. I also sang for years with Terry in the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and he was a gem who made friends with everyone in the Chorus. I so wish that Terry had lived to see my daughters grow up. Hanging on a wall in my home I have a 2x3 foot photo of Terry at Disneyland, standing next to the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, smiling his radiant smile. I still miss you, Terry, and I love you.

Terry was a close friend in high school. He was always kind and supportive, even at the young age of 16. He was a band kid, senior drum major, in the talent shows dancing and singing, and a frequent movie night buddy. Laughed so hard in a packed car on a triple date on our way to see Bonnie and Clyde. Last I saw him was at FSU in the early 70's. Fun, warm hearted, smart, talented guy. Will always love him. Thanks Terry for being you! Love, Vera