Terry Lee Thomas passed away peacefully in his home on November 25, 2023 after battling a cancerous brain tumor for several years. He was born on August 27, 1961 in Freeport, IL to the late Stanley and Grace (Epling) Thomas. In April 1980 he married his Pearl City High School sweetheart, Barb Slick, in Kent. They were blessed with three children, Teresa, Tyler and Tiffany, who all also graduated from that same high school.

Terry was the owner/operator of Class One Performance Engines in Freeport for 28 years. His precision and quality of work helped him build clientele from all over the country, and engines were even sent to him from Europe. Many drag strips and stock car tracks in the region, as well as out of state, saw cars succeed with his engines.

Known as someone who could fix anything, Terry was always right there to help family, extended family, and friends whether it was to fix a car, any engine, or even help build and/or remodel a house. In fact, he completely turned their ranch-style house into a showcase log home. Terry could tackle any project and do it well.

Terry and family enjoyed spending time with his folks on their farm just down the road, and often with the whole Thomas clan – siblings and their families. He always helped make it a special time with bonfires, and tractor, four-wheeler and dirt bike rides. He and Barb and the kids enjoyed trailer camping at Indiana's Covered Bridge Festival, Door County and Devil's Lake. Later he and Barb relished time spent in their cabin on a lake in northern Wisconsin. And cats! The family could never turn away a stray cat or an abandoned kitten. Many, many have been on the receiving end of their affection.

Terry is survived by his wife, Barb (Slick); daughter Teresa (Doug Mueller) of Madison, WI; son, Tyler or Pearl City; daughter, Tiffany (Chad Marsh) of Freeport; grandkids, Hayden and Teighan Muder and Grace Mueller; brother, Steve (Barbara) Thomas of St. Charles, MO; sister, Suzanne (Craig McCormick) of Albert Lea, MN; and many adoring nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Grace Thomas; niece, Jody Thomas Abouchacra; in-laws, Forest and Nancy Slick; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Luanne and Scott Lartz.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Pearl City from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established.