Capt. Terry Toms passed away at the University of Washington Medical Center on Nov. 21, 2008, following a year-long battle with cancer.
At the time of his death, he was a DC-11 captain for UPS.
A common thread throughout Terry’s life was a love of flying. His journey took him around the world flying in both war and peace. From the decks of America’s aircraft carriers to the major airports of the world, Terry saw the full world of aviation and no one deserved the term “aviator” more. After his family, the A-6 Intruder was his true love and he was a key player in the aircraft’s history.
Terry was born Oct. 31, 1950 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Pearl and Jack C. Toms of Central City. His love of history focused on aviation and he saw his future in Air Force blue, joining ROTC at Iowa State University. He learned to jump out of planes before he learned to fly them, logging more than 800 parachute jumps around the country.
His senior year also began his life-long love affair with Cyndi, who transferred into ISU and Terry’s life.
A natural in the air, Terry completed naval flight officer training and received his wings in the summer of 1973. Orders took Terry and Cyndi to Whidbey Island and the A-6 community.
His talent as a bombardier/navigator was recognized early and he was assigned to Attack
Squadron 95 in the fall of 1973. On his first cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) he witnessed the fall of South Vietnam and flew on his first combat mission in the A-6 during the SS Mayaguez rescue in Cambodia.
Terry’s natural leadership became evident, and he was selected to become an A-6 instructor in the training squadron, VA-128. During that tour, Terry’s reputation as a superb naval officer and aviator was established as he trained a new cadre of Intruder flyers.
In 1978, Terry and Cyndi were blessed by the birth of Andrew.
Terry was accepted to the new naval flight officer-to- pilot transition program. His attraction to the program was enhanced by the guarantee that he would return to the Intruder. He left the Pacific Northwest for Pensacola, Fla. where his second son Christopher was born in 1982.
Terry returned to Whidbey in 1983 with a set of naval aviator wings and orders back to VA-95 aboard the USS Enterprise. On that tour he flew the A-6 in such diverse locations as the deserts of Oman to the French Alps. His fleet experience now served him well as he returned as the operations officer in VA-128.
Joining the Navy’s forward-deployed battle group in 1987; Terry took over as executive officer of VA-115 aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) as part of Carrier Air Wing Five. Operating at a high tempo, always ready to respond to any crisis, the Midway sailed to the Persian Gulf following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Terry played a key role in the planning of CVW Five’s Desert Storm attacks and he led the first night strike of the war. His leadership in the air and participation
in 40 combat missions resulted in his award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal.
In 1993, Terry was selected for command of VA-128 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. As always, his professionalism and force of personality bonded his squadron into a top-notch outfit as the Intruder began to approach the end of its service life. He maintained the “spirit of attack” during his tenure and allowed the community to remain combat effective during the drawdown.
Terry’s final tour came as the Commander, Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In that position he not only orchestrated the final closeout of the squadrons but also conducted the formal retirement of the aircraft after
35 years of service.
In a very symbolic gesture, Terry made the final flight of the A-6 from Whidbey Island to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, where the last 100 Intruders are stored in the desert.
Terry retired from active duty in 1997; his awards now included the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards) and the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service to his country. He was also awarded the 1993 Henry M. Jackson Leadership Award.
Terry left the Navy, but the lure of flying pulled him to UPS, where he flew the Boeing 747, 757, 767 and finally the DC-11 on overseas flights to both the orient and Europe.
Terry embodied the spirit of camaraderie that has always made aviation and naval aviation special. His leadership brought out the best in his men and made his commands exceptional.
Terry was predeceased by his father Jack and is survived by his mother Pearl Northland of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition to Cyndi, Andrew and Christopher, his sister, Mary Joe and David Brown of Des Moines also survive him.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Neurology Tumor Fund, Dept of Neurology, Box 356465, U.W. Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St. Seattle, WA 98195.
A memorial service was held at Base Chapel, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island with Chaplain Philip King of NAS Whidbey Island and Pastor David Lura of the First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor officiating. Private graveside services were held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville with honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
