Terry Wayne Peat

Zanoni, Missouri
born November 22, 1989 Carmichael, California

Researching the young people that die in Missouri car crashes is very difficult. Among those I researched during 2006, the story of Terry Peat stood out.

Those who respond to injury car crashes, such as police officers, first responders, EMT's, firefighters, etc, must build a mental wall they work within. It is out of necessity, in order to keep their sanity. Not only must they deal with death, but sometimes horrific scenes. They experience the worst, they see the worst, and they must deal with the worst. Without the wall, they could simply go crazy, dieing a little more every time a victim does. Even with this psychological wall, many will have a particular crash that has been eternally burned in their minds, and some will have more than one that deeply affected them.

When I read the story of Terry's death, I knew this would be one of those crashes. It is probably the most dreaded emergency one can ever respond to. It is also the call they can never be prepared for. Among the emergency personnel that rushed to the accident scene that day, were Terry's father, mother, sister, brother and a grandmother; all first responders or volunteer firefighters with Caney Mountain Fire & Rescue.

No wall exists that can protect a member of emergency services, when they realize a member of their own family is the victim.

Zanoni teen dies in Sunday car crash
by Betty Stanley, Ozark County Times

Terry Wayne Peat, 16, died in a single vehicle accident Sunday morning near Brixey.

According to the report by Corporal B.L. Thompson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the 1993 Ford, Brandilyn Little of Ava, Terry’s girlfriend, lost control of the vehicle in a curve, ran off the roadway and overturned several times, ejecting both driver and passenger.

Peat was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Coroner Dave Goodnight. Little was taken by air ambulance to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. According to a family friend, she has now been released from the hospital.

According to family members, the two teens were on their way to Little’s grandparent’s to mow the lawn when the crash occurred about a mile north of Brixey on Route N.

Among the first emergency personnel on the scene were Terry Peat’s family, first responders with the Caney Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, where his father, Robert Peat, is fire chief and other family members are firefighers.

Terry, a junior firefighter with the Caney Mountain VFD, was very active with the department.“He was very enthusiastic and had talked of pursuing a career in firefighting,” said Tom Bentele vice president and deputy fire chief of the Caney Mountain VFD.

“He was a good hardworking kid and had taken all kinds of firefighter training.”

Bentele listed nine courses Terry had completed. “Most of the courses were through Missouri State University and he actually received credits toward an associate degree in fire science,” Bentele added.

The Firefighter Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers for Terry’s funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home.

A fund to help the family with funeral expenses has been established at Century Bank of the Ozarks.

When you feel a gentle breeze
Caress you when you sigh
It's a hug sent from Heaven
From a loved one way up high.

If a soft and tender raindrop
Lands upon your nose
They've added a small kiss
As a fragile as a rose

If a song you hear fills you
with a feeling of sweet love
It's a hug sent from heaven
From someone special up above

If you awaken in the morning
To a bluebird's chirping song
It's music sent from Heaven
To cheer you all day long.

If tiny little snowflakes
Land upon your face
It's a hug sent from heaven
Trimmed with Angel lace

So keep the joy in your heart
If you're lonely my dear friend
Hugs that are sent from heaven
A broken heart will mend.

I can not believe that you are gone. It hurts so bad to know that we will never be able to go swim at the river in the middle of the night or keep my mom up all hours of the night laughing and playing rummy. You know you always did beat me, and to tell you the truth, I never did let you win. You did that all on your won. Ever since your parents brought you to California to visit, we have been close. I loved that about you. I could tell you anything and you never would tell a soul. I hate the fact that I never got to tell you goodbye, but I guess its not forever. I remember when I didn't want to go to town by myself you would always be right there with me. We went everywhere together. I had so much fun hanging out with you. You are truly one of my best friends and will always be that no matter what. You are my Terr-Bear. I cherish every single memory that I have with you and I am just thankful that we had a chance to be such good friends. Terry, I love you and miss you so much. I will grieve for awhile but I know life has to go on. It's not goodbye forever. Its a bye for now. I will see again when the time is right and you will be there waiting for me with open arms. I love you.

Love always and forever,
Your aunt and friend,

Maranda Cone

Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we loose it, but it's also true that we don't get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but a lifetime to forget someone. Always put yourself in others shoes. If it hurts then it probably hurts the other person too. Happiness lives for those who cry, those who have hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched our lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. When you were born you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying...... Robin Marie Peat (sister)

Amazing Grace Bag...

Memorial services for Terry Wayne Peat, 16, of Zanoni, will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 2 at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Dillin officiating. Burial will be in Ball Cemetery at Dora.

Terry died May 28, 2006, from injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was born Nov. 22, 1989, in Carmichael, Calif., the son of Robert and Tammy (Boyter) Peat.

He was a student at Dora High School, where he would have been a junior this fall.

He planned to pursue a career in fire fighting and had completed several training classes at Missouri University toward an associate’s degree in fire science including: Incident Command System; Hazardous Materials Awareness; Medical First Responder on HazMat Scene; Vehicle Rescue Technician; Traffic Control; Internal Structure Search and Rescue; LP Gas Emergencies; Basic Fire Fighter Skills; and Wildlife Level 1 Fire Training.

Terry is survived by his parents, Robert and Tammy Peat of Zanoni; two brothers, Robert Peat Jr. and his fiance, Misty Carter, and William Eugene Peat, all of Zanoni; one sister, Robin Marie Peat of Zanoni; grandparents, Wayne and Nancy Peat and Shirley Williams, all of Zanoni, and Terry Gene Boyter of California; great-grandmother, Jerri Carnlison of California; and Aunt Sheila and Uncle John Mason from Calif.

Pallbearers will be the Firefighter Honor Guard.

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors.

Benefit set for Terry Peat family

Bikers United, along with Ozark Mountain Trikers, Ozark County Çruisers and the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department, will sponsor a benefit for the family of Terry Peat Saturday, Aug. 12 at Hoerman Memorial Park, located off Highway 160 east of Gainesville.

Terry, a 16-year-old teenager from Zanoni, was killed in an automobile accident in May. He was very active as a junior firefighter with the Caney Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and had talked of pursuing a career in firefighting.

Organizers encourage everyone to join in honoring Terry and helping his family during this difficult time.

They invite you to “bring your lawn chairs, sit back, relax and enjoy the delicious barbecued pork smoked by Wendell from T-Dubb’s in Ocie.”

Serving of lunch will begin at 1 p.m. with the auction beginning at 2 p.m. A $5 donation is requested for lunch.

There will be live music and an auction with items donated by local businesses, as well as baked goods provided by the ladies of “The Red Hat Society.”

You will be able to wander through vintage cars and street rods provided by The Ozark County Cruisers.

Bikers United will sponsor a poker run that morning, with a group meeting at one of the sponsors, Lick Creek Convenience in Gainesville at 9:30 a.m.

They will then ride to join the rest of the group leaving at 11 from People’s Park (corner of Porter Wagoner and Broadway) in West Plains. The cost will be $10 per hand, with additional hands available for $10. The final stop and last draw for the poker run will be at Hoerman Park. All bikes and trikes are welcome.

For more information or to make a cash donation, call Tom Vantol, 273-5466, or Carol Cooper, 273-5602. For donation of auction items, call Larry and Chris Freeman, 679-3916. For information on the poker run, contact Ray and Kristina Peter, 261-2863.

I know that he is gone but it is just so hard to come realize that I will never be able to talk to Terry again or be able to hang out with him again. I see a picture of him and I want to call and talk to him and see how he is doing, but then I remember that I cant. Terry was always there for me and I remember the good times, but I dont want them to be just a memory. When I see his picture or read something about him my heart just sinks into my stomach because it hurts so bad. I cant even begin to explain the way it feels to lose someone that is so close to you. I have never lost someone that has been this close to me and I just dont know how to begin to deal with it the pain that I feel. Terry was only 16 years old and he had a full life ahead of him, but everyone has a time to go and I guess that it was his time to go. I wish he was still here with me, but I know that in time we will be together again. I love you so much Terry Wayne. Love always and forever ........... Maranda

Material supplied by, and memorial built at request of, two of Terry's grandmothers, Nancy Peat and Grandma Shirrley

Page Two

Terry died May 28, 2006 near Brixey, Missouri.
Terry wanted to become a firefighter and save lives.
Buckle up and hopefully the story of Terry's life, will save yours.

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