Terry Thomas Mathis, age 49 of Ethan, SD (formerly of Mt. Vernon, SD) died Monday November 9, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday at the Ethan School Gymnasium with burial at 2:00 PM Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Storla, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. The visitation will continue at 8:30 AM Saturday at the Ethan School Gymnasium until service time.

Terry Mathis, son of Ernest and Ruby (Sample) Mathis, was born January 14, 1960 at Methodist Hospital in Mitchell, SD. He attended rural schools in Sanborn and Davison Counties and graduated from Mt.Vernon High School in 1978. Terry completed his under graduate studies at Dakota State College in Madison, SD in 1983. He taught and coached in the Ethan School District his entire life. Terry received his Masters Degree in education and was the superintendent of the Ethan School at the time of his death. He also served as the Ethan School Athletic Director.

Terry has been an active part of the Ethan community for the past 26 years. He was involved with various community organizations and was a member of the town board, the park board and the local fire department. Terry also was a part of many school organizations within the State of South Dakota as a leader and mentor.

Grateful for having shared his life are his parents, Ernest and Ruby Mathis, Mt. Vernon, SD; two brothers, Bill (Lisa) Mathis, Mt. Vernon, SD, Bob Mathis, Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters, Elaine (Randy) Sorenson, Sioux Falls and Linda Powell, Mt Vernon, SD; his nieces and nephews, Cathy Mathis, Christie (Brad) Lueth, Andrea (Nathan) Fuhrer, Cami, Kyle and Nolan Mathis, Michael and Mark Sorenson, and Alan Powell; his great nephews, Hayden Mathis-Storm, Elliot Lueth, and Paxton Fuhrer. Also grateful for having shared his life are the many students, faculty and friends of the Ethan School District and community.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and an infant brother, Owen.

Terry was very dedicated to sports, golf and the Pittsburgh Steelers, hunting, playing cards, and spending time with his family and many friends. His primary focuses were the students of the Ethan School District and his nieces and nephews. Although he had no biological children of his own, his students were his legacy.

In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the Terry Mathis Scholarship Fund.