Terry Wayne Burcham, age 87, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 30, 2020. He was born May 27, 1932, in Hillsville, VA, where he grew up and lived until his twenties. He then joined the U.S. Army, and after attending VA Military Institute and VA Polytechnic Institute, he moved to Fort Bragg, NC, where he served as a Military Police Sergeant. After his service, he moved to California to work as a Civil Engineer with McDonnell Douglas. He then moved to Alabama, where he settled his family in Huntsville, and took a job with Chrysler Corporation.
He was a loving father and active in his children’s activities, including helping with musical pursuits, YMCA Football, Wrestling, and Boy Scouts. He married Sara on November 5, 1977, and they enjoyed square dancing, playing Old Time Music together (winning several awards at competitions), traveling near and far and spending time with family. Terry was a self-taught musician and played the guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, and harmonica. He even enjoyed making several instruments through the years. In his retirement years, he and Sara formed the Log Cabin String Band with musician friends and played many venues around the North Alabama area.
He was an avid gardener throughout his life and grew abundant flowers and vegetables, as well as apple, plum and pear trees. He enjoyed experimenting with grafting various trees together. He loved the outdoors, hiking, and fishing. The fact that Huntsville is at the foothills of the Appalachians reminded him of his boyhood home in Virginia. Terry also spent many years making beautiful jewelry out of stones found in the area.
He was recently preceded in death by Sara, his wife of 43 years, on February 22, 2020. He is survived by his daughters, Cheyenne Hilbert of Cullman, Terry Rasmussen of Kokomo, IN, Karen Russell of Owens Cross Roads, sons Steve Burcham of Huntsville, and Mark Burcham of Madison, stepdaughter Nancy Robertson and stepson, Tom Derington, both of Huntsville. His stepson, Jim Derington of Cullman also preceded him in death. He is survived by nineteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, and was a wonderful Grandpa/Paw-Paw to them.
There will be a private family service. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or make a donation to the Huntsville/Madison County Botanical Gardens in his memory.
