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Obituaries » Terry C. Highfield

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October 14, 1928 - January 1, 2021

In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place and he will be laid to rest with his late wife, Kathy at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo. All friends and family are encouraged to leave a condolence message.

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Terry Clifford Highfield, age 92, passed away at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo Friday, January 1, 2021 after a brief illness.  He was born on October 14, 1928 in Greenville, Michigan, the son of Allen and Frances (Dickinson) Highfield. As a young man, Terry enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially football, basketball, and fishing. After graduating from Greenville High School, Terry went on to Kemper Military School in Missouri. He then earned his bachelor’s degree at Kalamazoo College, and his master’s degree at Western Michigan University in Physical Education. He then enlisted in the United States Army and honorably served our country during the Korean War and earned the rank of Sergeant. He married Lois Ann Stevens in 1952, to which, they had two children. He was employed with the Plainwell School District, working as a Civics and Physical Education teacher, Driver’s Education Instructor and coached football, retiring after 35 years of devoted service. Terry looked forward to his annual trips to Florida, also working outside, landscaping and gardening. He continued to enjoy golf, tennis and cycling, was a longtime member of West Hills Athletic Club and the Elks Club. Terry was very athletic and devoted to his love of sports. Terry loved to brag about his grandson, Jack, who is an NFL Lineman with the Cleveland Browns. On September 29, 1979, he wed the former Kathleen Conklin, and they were married for nearly 30 years, prior to her passing in 2009. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Kathleen, his brothers Jack Highfield and Bill Highfield. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Dan (Donna) Highfield of Florida, Julie Highfield (Rachel Roberts) also of Florida, Michael (Denise) Conklin of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Darren (Barbara) Conklin of Battle Creek, Michigan, his beloved grandchildren, Jessica (Shawn) Wismer, Sean Conklin, Jack (Cait) Conklin, Emily Conklin, as well as his great granddaughter, Riley Conklin and great-grandson, Cash Conklin, who entered the world in November of 2020. Also, of special mention, his life-long friend, Leslie Rowell, whom Terry had known since high school.