Terry Ryan

Terry Ryan passed away on July 13, 2026, at the Legacy of the Meadows in DeWitt, IA at the age of 88. Terry was born on May 13, 1938, in Clinton, IA the son of Donald and Vivian (Burnett) Ryan and grew up on a farm near Welton, IA. He married Colleen Ruhl on September 6, 1958.

He worked hard and he played hard. He knew about motors and working the farm equipment from a young age. He started working for Standard Forwarding on January 26, 1964, and worked there for 31 years.

Important races that highlighted his racing career were in 1968 he won the three-way championship, Davenport, Maquoketa and East Moline. In 1976 he had the honor of sitting on the pole position in the Daytona 500 - he placed 6th as a rookie. He enjoyed life and loved to share stories of his auto racing days. He had a few opinions and never minded sharing them. He cherished the friendships he built throughout his life, and his close circle of friends were wonderful support these past few months.

Terry is survived by his daughter Kelly; granddaughter Mary Beth; great grandchildren Penelope and Leo; sister Mary Kay Gehlsen; brother-in-law Bill Gehlsen and two special people Don Fuglsang and Helen Watters.

He was preceded in death by his wife Colleen and parents Don and Vivian (Burnett) Ryan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Friday July 17th at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Davenport. Visitation will be held prior to the Mass at the church beginning at 9 am. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries, Davenport, is assisting with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the staff for caring support received at Legacy of the Meadows.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.