Terry Lee DeWall

Terry Lee DeWall

February 22, 1951 – April 20, 2019 

Terry Lee DeWall of Bellevue, Nebraska, was born in Spencer, Iowa, to Leonard Lee and Maurine Ursula (Roberts) DeWall. He is preceded in death by parents Leonard and Maurine, brother Denny, sister Linda and step-sister Marge Riggen.

Terry is survived by his wife Antoinette (Nozzero) DeWall, step-daughter Daniela (Aaron) Holloway, step-son Clifford McKing, daughters Jackie Krier and Amy DeWall, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters JoAnn (Denny) Leth, and Susie (Dean) Pierce, brothers Gary (Pam) DeWall, and Boone (DeAnna) DeWall, and many nieces and nephews.

As a child, Terry’s family started a band named “Curly’s Combo” after their father’s nickname. Terry played guitar at resorts around Okoboji for over 20 years. As part of the act, Terry became a limbo expert, holding the world record of 6.5 inches from the floor until it was broken by someone at 6.25 inches. “We would put a stick across two beer bottles about 9 inches high,” remembered Terry.

In 1969 Terry joined the United States Marine Corps and participated in both multi-battalion size battles, and small-unit, anti-guerrilla operations in Vietnam. He was assigned to CoE, 2d Battalion, 3d Marine Amphibious Brigade, 8th Marines, 1st Marine Div, 2d Marine Div, Fleet Marine Forces. During his tenure Terry was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, “Expert” Rifle Shooting Badge, Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, Good Conduct Medal, first place in the 220 yard backstroke swimming competition and first place in the 440 yard dash relay race. On February 27, 1976, Lance Corporal Terry L. DeWall was Honorably Discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. “SEMPER FI”.

Upon his discharge from the Marines, Terry was division foreman for Wilson Concrete Company, production supervisor for Drake Williams Steel, Inc., and owner of Whiskey River Saloon, Inc.

In January 1984, Terry suffered a back injury from a freak accident. Multiple surgeries, physical therapy, acupressure, hypnosis, biofeedback, swimming, whirlpools and saunas did not ease his massive pain. This led Terry to invent the “DeWall Posture Protector.” His invention not only eased his pain but decreased pain for many back pain sufferers. In 1991, Terry was named Omaha’s Small Business Man of the Year for the invention of his DeWall Posture Protector L0430. Terry remarked, “If we can reduce pain 10 percent, it means so much to the person that it’s hard to explain. Anything more than that is amazing.” His love for people, helping and giving of himself defines the word selfless.

While his back brace was helping thousands of people, he was fighting in court Healthnow New York, Inc., Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, Adminastar Federal, Inc., and Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, for billing medical code L0430. In 2002 the court case finally came to an end. Terry WON!!!  The largest durable medical court case in the history of the United States was “DeWall Enterprises, Inc. v. Thompson, 206 F. Supp. 2d 992 (D. Neb. 2002)”.

On January 4, 2008, Terry suffered a massive stroke that affected the right side of his body and he was left with no movement to his right arm. Through the rest of his life he was cared for and loved by his family and friends. We are celebrating his life and inventions. Terry, you will truly be missed by so many people, but we know you are in your “new body” dancing and singing in Heaven. We love you and can’t wait to join you!  Dance on Terry!

Visitation: Wednesday, May 1st, 10:00 – noon at Bellevue Memorial Chapel, Bellevue Nebraska, followed by a Graveside Service: 1:00 p.m. at Omaha National Cemetery.

Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post 331, followed by a Celebration of Life.

6 Comments

  • DeAnna DeWall Posted April 25, 2019 1:30 pm

    Sending our Love & Remembering Terry. He was so generous kind & fun loving. He was Larger than Life & everything he did he did it big! We Loved him so much.

  • Lisa A Oliveto Posted April 26, 2019 10:04 pm

    Terry was such a good friend to my dad for many, many years. Toni, you were such a blessing to Terry as his caregiver and wife. I feel lucky to have known him. As a Marine mom, I also need to say, “Thank you, Terry, for serving our country and for making sacrifices to do it. Semper fidelis, Marine.

  • Daniela Holloway Posted April 27, 2019 8:33 am

    I miss your laugh. We miss you. Thank you for loving us without condition. You gave my mom purpose and I learned a lot from you two. I can’t thank you enough and I’m happy you’re free. This isn’t good bye, it’s see you later. I love you.

  • Malena McKing Posted May 1, 2019 8:03 am

    I love you grandpa Terry! You will be missed ❤️❤️

  • Jeriah Christopher Station Posted March 15, 2020 10:38 am

    I miss you grandpa. I always remember watching westerns with you anytime I was at grandma’s. I remember the times on Christmas when you would pull out your wallet and give us money, not only that but you made our birthdays and Christmas ones to remember, you were always so nice to us. You may not have been my blood Grandpa but it always felt like it. I love and miss you so much you hold a special place in my heart forever❤️

  • Jeriah Station Posted September 25, 2022 12:47 am

    I miss you grandpa love you forever❤️ we’ll meet again one day

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