Always Remember
Breaux Bridge How fitting that one of the proudest soldiers ever to wear the United States Army uniform left this earth on Memorial Day weekend 2015. Terry Lane Cheatham was born in 1940 and passed away suddenly at his home in Nina, Louisiana on May 24, 2015.
As a teen, Terry went to work for the Highway Department as a messenger boy. Thirty-eight years later he retired as the District Bridge Maintenance and Inspection Supervisor for District 61, which encompasses 9 parishes.
A proud veteran, Terry served two tours in the Vietnam War. He was awarded multiple Purple Hearts, as well as a field commendation for a Bronze Star with a V device for valor.
Terry was a member of the American Legion and St. James Episcopal Church. He always enjoyed auto racing, on and off the track. He had an abiding love and appreciation for the Louisiana outdoors. Dancing to Cajun and Country music was a lifelong passion. In his retirement years, Terry was Founder and Executive Director of the Continental Van Landingham Terrier Club of America. In addition, he was President of the Tri-Parish chapter of the Louisiana SLICKs Association.
Terry is survived by his wife, Faith Robinson Cheatham and her children, Jennifer Harris and Michael Phillips and his wife, Christy; his grandchildren, Betsy, Emily, and Andrew Harris, and Olivia and Ryan Phillips. Other survivors are his brother, Daryl Cheatham and his children, Andrew and Kayce Lane Cheatham. Known affectionately as Papa, he was Louisiana Grandpa to Annabelle and Wyatt Kornmeyer. He was Dad to his little boy, Crazyface.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis K. and Thelma Carbo Cheatham of Baton Rouge.
As per Terrys wishes, he will be cremated and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
The family asks that all memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 woundedwarriorproject.org.
Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com