Terence Earl O'Malley's Obituary
Terence Earl O’Malley, 66, died July 5, 2022, at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA. He was born at Highland Park General Hospital, suburb of Detroit, Michigan, on November 18, 1955. He was a resident of Highland, CA. Terry was a 1973 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, San Bernardino, CA, serving on the Varsity Falcons Football Team.
Terry was a big man, with an even bigger heart. He sacrificed for his longtime love, Shelly. He never forgot a family birthday. An avid coin collector, he gave silver dollars to family every Christmas. Shared trips with Mom to watch horses at Santa Anita Park. In later years, he rescued animals who needed a home. He loved his two cats, Aloysius and Seamus. Terry enjoyed nature, was passionate about the mountains. Shared his love of hiking with family dogs in the SB National Forest.
Terry served in the United States Navy 16 Dec 1974 - 14 Jan 1976; was deployed aboard ship and awarded an honorable discharge. He was a member of the CA Interagency Hotshots, an elite forest firefighting crew. He retired from the California Dept of Transportation (Caltrans.)
While serving with the CA Hotshots, he described being dropped into a fire Hot Zone. Flames gaining, trees changing colors, fire blazing over their foxholes.
God does not give us any challenge we cannot overcome. Terry had permanent knee injuries from varsity football. He was hit by a speeding car after a high school rally. He laid in a coma for 3 days. He fell off his mother’s roof doing repairs; had IM rods in both legs, had to re-learn how to walk. Terry suffered debilitating injuries, yet he never gave up.
He went to Mass every week and drove Mom often when she could no longer drive. He struggled through life, he struggled in death. But had the strength of a thousand angels beside him. He will be missed.
Terry was the eldest son of Captain Charles Aloysius O’Malley, USN, (Deceased) and Patricia Jean O’Malley.
He is also survived by longtime love, Shelly Lynn.
Kathleen Rose O’Malley, sister, was deceased at birth. Seven siblings and spouses: Margaret Mary O’Malley, TSgt, USAF, Ret, and Philip Bryan Oglesby, Major, USAF, Ret; Timothy; Brennan; Sean and Sylvia; Kevin and Rosemary; Dennis; Patrick and Nicholas. Nieces, nephews, spouses: Manuel; Kathleen and Philip; Elena and Vance; Charlie; Henry; Michael (Mick); Andrea; Olivia; Grace; Megan; John and Lauren; Patrick; and Ryan.
Great nieces, nephews, spouses: Officer Manuel (Junior) and Paige; Marquez; Pandora; Nadia; Bella; Manuel (JJ); Rylan; and Jax.
Funeral Mass:
Thursday 01 Sept 1100
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church
33926 Calle La Primavera
Dana Point, CA 92629
Reception Following
Military Burial:
Friday 02 Sept 1300
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Blvd.
Riverside, CA 92518
Military Service with Honors
Reception Following
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