Terry Wayne Mechtley

Terry Wayne Mechtley, 70 of Topeka, KS passed away December 23, 2022.

Born April 20, 1952, in Emporia, KS to Robert and Mildred Mechtley.

Terry attended high school at Alma High School in Alma, Kansas. His senior year was 1970-1971. He was a photographer so a lot of the photos in the yearbook were taken by him.He joined The United States Army in 1971 and served until 1974, at which time he was honorably discharged.

Terry achieved several Certificates of Achievement throughout life from Kansas, New Mexico, and Nevada.

He did everything from being an EMT, photographer, security officer, a reserved officer, bricklayer, warehouse foreman, private investigator, self-defense instructor, a cook at his parent's restaurant, zookeeper, and I'm sure there's some I've missed. While in Nevada he also obtained his GED in 1986.

Terry had several passions in life such as hunting, trapping, digging for gold, camping, fishing, hiking or just anything adventurous. He was a survivalist he had several bags that consisted of everything he would need to survive in the outdoors, such as string, MRE's, safety pins etc. Things you would never think of having or taking with you to be able to survive and using them for another purpose then what they were made for.

He really enjoyed his CB 2-way radios, but he had to give up playing with the big ones due to the pacemaker he had to have.

Terry truly loved his guns and knives. You would never find him without at least one knife on him, at all times even while asleep. Even though most times he always had several on him.

He always had a phrase he would say "Don't ever get caught dead without a knife."

While in Reno, NV in 2013, he joined the American Pool Players Association with his buddy of 30+years, Pete Dunham, his wife Kati, and their son Jared (AKA Jar Head).

He really enjoyed playing pool and meeting new people. He even joined a league when he moved back to Topeka, KS to play on for a while.

He is survived by his three children, several grandkids, and great grandchildren.

His oldest daughter, Trisha Gaubatz of Lacey, Washington (husband Rob and three daughters).

His son, Jamie Mechtley of Topeka, KS (Daughter Melinda and son Skylar both of Topeka, KS).

Youngest daughter, Nicole Steiner of Topeka, KS (Husband Matthew and two sons Dakota and Chevy all of Topeka, KS).

While living in Nevada Terry assisted Unita Mae Rowe in raising a young man that he holds dear to his heart, Justin Rowe (AKA Boy) Of Las Vegas, NV (wife Jeni and two sons James and Justin (JJ).

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Terry's memory to go towards the funeral cost, make checks payable to Nicole Steiner sent in care of Midwest Cremation, 525 SE 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66605, or to The American Heart Assocition. There is a link to their website at the bottom of this page.

Graveside services with military honors will be 2:30 Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Leavenworth National Cemetery

150 Muncie Rd

Leavenworth, KS 66048