Galen “Terry” Eldred

Galen “Terry” Eldred

Cedar Rapids

Galen “Terry” Eldred, 80, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. Terry’s legacy of generosity will live on through his selfless gift to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program to further medical and scientific education. A celebration of Terry’s life is being planned for next year, in July of 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A private committal service will take place at a later date. A reminder notice will be published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette next year prior to the celebration.

Terry was born on Dec. 16, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Galen Edward and Viola Joy (Johnson) Eldred. He was a true farm boy, having been raised on a farm outside of Springville, Iowa, and was familiar with doing chores, bailing hay, raising livestock and helping neighbors. He was a 1960 graduate of Martelle High School in Martelle, Iowa. After his high school graduation, he enrolled at Wartburg College, which he attended for two years and later attended Coe College. He started working for his uncle where he learned construction and roofing while helping him build houses. Terry then began working at Wickes Lumber in North Liberty, Iowa. In 1967, Terry was united in marriage to Linda L. Foley and together they had two sons, Jeffrey and Eric.

Throughout his life, he held many sales jobs, working for many local businesses and companies – too numerous to mention by name. Eventually, Terry owned his own material handling business, Pinicon Ridge Supply, selling forklifts, pallet racks and skid-loaders. He was a member of the Master Gardener Program and enjoyed coaching youth baseball. He also had a life-long love of Corvettes. Terry served on the Alburnett School Board for three years, including a term as president. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Terry is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Linda Lee (Foley) Eldred; sons, Jeffrey (Judy Le) Eldred of Charlottesville, a., and Eric (Deborah) Eldred of Castle Rock, Colo.; and three grandchildren, Tyler Eldred, Annika Eldred and Abbott Le-Eldred.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Steven; and a sister, Lisa.

Memorials in Terry’s memory may be directed to Milestones Adult Day Health Center in Marion, Iowa.

Please share a memory of Terry at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.