Ret. MSgt Terry Lee Ware Sr., 78, of Portsmouth, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the home of his daughter. He was born August 2, 1943, in Portsmouth, a son of the late Robert Kelly and Mary Opal (Meglasson) Ware.
After graduating from Portsmouth High School in 1961, Terry joined the US Air Force where he faithfully served on active duty during the Vietnam War, before transitioning to the reserves until his retirement in 1990. While serving, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, among other awards and distinctions, for his service. Terry was a Life Member and past Commander of the American Legion James Dickey Post #23 and was a member of its Voiture 443-40/8. He previously served as the American Legion Ohio 7th District Commander. Terry passionately showed pride for all veterans by selflessly placing flags at the gravesites of many veterans throughout local cemeteries. He also served for many years on the color guard for Portsmouth High School football games. Terry was of the Presbyterian faith.
Surviving are three sons, Robert Kelly Ware II of Marysville, Gregory Alan (Jennifer) Ware of Ft. Worth, TX and Terry Lee (Dee) Ware Jr. of Cochran, GA; his daughter, Susan Leigh (Steve Walker) Marrs of New Richmond, WI; his brother, Steven Gregory (Mendy Montavon) Ware of Rosemount; 14 grandchildren, Allyson, Jonathan and Robert Ware III, Trevor (Karen) Bohl and Meghan Bohl, Terry “Trey” Lee Ware III, Tiffani, Braylon, Micah and Levi Ware, Sara (Jake) Schugg, Christian, Shelby and Patrick Marrs; five great-grandchildren, Arianna, Jordan, Elijah, Prince and Grayson; his nephew, Jarrod Ware; and great nieces, Abigail and Kailey Ware.
In addition to his parents, Terry was also preceded in death by his son, Bryan Edward Ware and grandson, Christopher Malcolm Ware.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Friday, September 3, 2021, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Pastor Gary Chaffins officiating. Burial will be in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast in Grayson. Military rites will be conducted by the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion Honor Guard and the USAF Honor Guard from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 6 to 8 P.M. and one hour prior to services Friday.
The flag of the U.S. Air Force will fly at the funeral home in honor of Mr. Ware’s service to our country.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ware Scholarship Fund, c/o The Scioto Foundation, P.O. Box 911, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Please write “Ware Scholarship Fund” on the memo line.