John Terence “Terry” Sullivan, DDS
Born September 5, 1930, entered into eternal life, September 29, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Morgan P. Sullivan, his mother, Mary Catherine (nee Gallagher) Sullivan, and his sister Mary Catherine Keeffe. He was the devoted husband to his wife Mary of nearly 67 years who he met when he was 16 years old and married on November 27, 1954. In addition to Mary, he is survived by his five children: Therese Sullivan (Jerry Brockman), Kevin (Mary Thrush), Maureen Peterson (Dean), Bridget Sullivan, and Patrick J. Sullivan (Kathy), and his four grandchildren: Megan, Sarah, Ann and Rudy. Terry Sullivan lived his life according to the principles of his Catholic faith and embodied the Church’s social justice teaching that “the best way to fulfill one’s obligations of justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one’s means and the needs of others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the conditions of life.” To that end, he pursued a commitment to his community, his profession as a dentist for over forty-seven years, and his Catholic faith throughout his life. Just a few of his acts of service included: over fifty years as a member of the Perpetual Adoration Society of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bellevue, member of the Knights of Columbus, volunteer for the One World and Heart Ministries, volunteer for local food shelves, twenty-eight years as a member of the Bellevue Board of Education, forty-eight years as an adjunct professor of General Dentistry at Creighton University, and on the board of directors for the Nebraska School Boards Association. He was also active in professional organizations such as the Omaha District Dental Society and served for a time as its president, the Creighton University Chapter of the Upsilon Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, the Nebraska Chapter of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Fellowship of the International College of Dentistry, and the Omaha Dental Study Club. Terry’s devotion to service and community was recognized frequently: he was honored by his students at the Creighton University Dental School in 2010-2014 as the Outstanding Part-time Clinical Instructor and received a Life Achievement award by the Nebraska School Board Association. He also served for four years in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Along with his wife Mary, Terry supported community organizations and activities – from active participation in the Kiwanis’ popcorn and tootsie roll sales to financial support of many other charities. His integrity and wit will be missed by all those who knew him. His wife Mary will mourn his passing every day as will his children and grandchildren. He joins those members of the Bellevue Beer Club who precede him in death and will be remembered by his longtime friend George Uphoff every time George gets in a canoe. And Ken Johns and Denny Higgenbotham will forever be sharing a cup of coffee with Terry at the Downtown Coffee Shop. Memorials are suggested to the Columban Fathers, www.columban.org, Heart Ministries Dental Clinic, www.heartministrycenter.org and St. Mary’s Capital Campaign.
The family requests, to protect all present, that only those who are fully vaccinated attend the services in person.
Visitation: Sunday, October 3, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2302 Crawford St., Bellevue, with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, October 4, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
To view video of the Mass, click the link below:
https://boxcast.tv/view/john-terence-terry-sullivan-dds-941983
6 Comments
I’ve known Dr. Sullivan since the middle 60’s when I went to his office for my first dentist appointment. He was my dentist till he closed his office. We became good friends throughout the years. He was a GREAT man and I will miss him. Thank you for your service to our country and our community. Rest In Peace.
He was notonly a wonderful dentist for many years for our family but a wonderful friend. He will be missed. Sending love and prayers to Mary and the family.
Bellevue was so very lucky to have Dr. Sullivan for so many years. He was involved in more than just his dental practice and was very civic-minded. He will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences from myself and my family to Mary and all of the family. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Our sympathy and prayers to the family. May God
give you comfort and peace. So sorry to read
about the loss of your dad,Therese.
Dr Sullivan was a Wonderful dentist to our family back in the day. He really knew our teeth. You see my parents had seven of us and we had a ton of cavities. My sister adopted a child named Tad. Sherry took Tad to see Dr Sullivan and I ask him if he had Examined Tad he said yes that he did see Tad and he continued to tell me that the strange thing about Tad’s teeth is that he did not have the Forster’s teeth so I told Dr Sullivan that he was adopted. And to this day I can still remember the toy basket he would hand us after each examination. To me that was the best part of going into see him every year. RIP Dr Sullivan you will be missed!!
Terry and my dad, Jerry, were lifelong friends and Terry was my first, and only, dentist until I left Omaha at 24 years of age. I will always remember the table in the libby of his office in the shape of a Lady Bug, with the Lady Bug, Lady Bug, fly away home poem written on it. Also the basket of toys we could choose from after each visit. But more than these things I will never forget Terry’s kindness and generosity or his friendship with my Father. I am truly saddend to be writing this.
God Bless Mary and family.
Terry was a true Gentleman, through and through.
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