Terry James Priest

A funeral service celebrating the life of Terry James Priest, age 75, of Newark, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Deacon Eric Wright officiating.  Burial will take place at Newark Memorial Gardens where military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, January 6, at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street in Newark.

Terry was born January 22, 1947 in Newark, Ohio to the late Gerald G. Priest and Jean M. (Craft) Priest. He passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2023 at his home.

Terry was a 1965 graduate of Heath High School where he was a football and track star. He received an Associates degree from Columbus Tech.  A United States Army Veteran, Terry faithfully served his country during Vietnam and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He retired from Owens Corning Fiberglas where he had been employed for more than 25 years. Terry was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, gardening, fishing, golfing, bowling, and hunting for mushrooms. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all sports.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Rose (Smith) Priest, whom he married September 22, 1973; three daughters, to whom their dad gave nicknames, Crystal “Pistol” Priest of Heath, Amber “Lynnie” (Dave) Rogers of Etna, and Tiffany “Tigga Tigga” (Terence) Schulz of Pickerington; grandchildren, Tavious Head, Petrova Head, Rylan Priest-Schulz, and Ayla Priest-Schulz; brother, Robert Priest of Heath; sister-in-law, Sheryl Davis of Newark; and many cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Sadie and Hazel Rogers; and a sister, Jean A. “Cookie” Priest.

Memorial contributions may be made to Licking County Humane Society.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Terry and his family.