1985-2024
Terry Wayne Wingard, 38, of Pine Bluff, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024.
He was born September 24, 1985, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Richard and Yvonne Terry Wingard. He graduated from White Hall High School in 2004 and continued his education at SEARK College in Pine Bluff.
Terry began his career in Public Service by working as a dispatcher for the Jefferson County 911 Dispatch (MECA). On January 2, 2007 after Graduating the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, Terry achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a Law Enforcement Officer when he was hired by the Pine Bluff Police Department where he proudly served his community. On February 4, 2009 he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Deputy. Terry went on to become a K-9 handler at which time he met his most cherished partner he would have, Andor. In 2015, Terry joined the Criminal Investigations Division. While serving in the CID, Terry was promoted to Sergeant and later Lieutenant. Terry would spend the remainder of his career as the Assistant Commander of the CID as well as the Jefferson County Response Team.
He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of White Hall. He made what would go on to become many lifelong friendships with peers he met at FBCWH Youth Ministry where he also assisted with audio and video for several years when he was younger.
Terry had a love for nature and enjoyed riding ATV's and hunting. Whether it was Rison or White Hall, Terry enjoyed spending many hours at the deer camp with his dad and all of his uncles. He cherished building on those memories by continuing that tradition with his own nephews.
He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, reading, and had an eclectic taste in music. Terry was known as a constant tinkerer, never being without a project of some sort being worked on whether at his own garage or in his mom and dad's. He had a love for technology and made certain he kept friends and family updated with that technology whether they actually felt like they needed it or not. Terry was a longtime advocate for animals, the ASPA, and humane society.
Most of all, Terry had a love for his family and friends. He was the life of the party and was sometimes known to want to start that party even at the most inopportune times. He loved with all his heart and tried to show that love to his friends in the only ways that Terry could.
Family was what Terry took joy in more than anything else. Whether his own or that of his in-laws, he wanted to meet them and get to know each one. Terry was the Wingard Families fun Uncle and wanted to play that part to the extreme. He spoiled his nephews every chance he could. He enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his nephews. He would teach them things they were too young to know, buy them gifts they were too young to understand, and do anything he could to aggravate his sisters. On the same hand he took an interest in all of their activities. He was sure to let them learn a lesson when it needed to be taught and pick them up when they would fall.
Terry married Sarah Miller on Halloween (their favorite holiday), October 31, 2020 in Eureka Springs. They enjoyed trips to New Orleans, going to concerts together, April Fools Day and dressing up with each other for all kinds of occasions. Terry loved hanging out with his brothers-in-law, Clay and Seth, whenever possible.
He had a deep love for animals. Terry loved his service dog, Andor, and was known for picking up or adopting stray animals.
Terry was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John H. And Margaret Sloan Terry and paternal grandparents, Wayne and Betty Wingard.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Miller Wingard; his parents, Richard and Yvonne Terry Wingard of White Hall; two sisters, Alisha Todd (Brian) Kelly Connell (Blake) all of White Hall; nephews, Parker Todd, Joshua Todd, Owen Todd, Cole Connell, and Carter Connell; and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024 at First Baptist Church of White Hall with Brother Paul Williams officiating. Interment will be private. Visitation will be Wednesday night from 5-7 p.m. at Robinson and Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, https://afsp.org/chapter/arkansas or Jefferson County Humane Society, PO Box 2233, Pine Bluff, AR 71613.
Online register: www.RobinsonFuller.com
