CENTERTOWN, Ky. — Terry Kessinger, 77, of Centertown, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct. 16, 2026. He was born Sept. 29, 1949, in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Clyde and Lydia Kessinger.
Terry was a 1967 graduate of Bell County High School in Pineville, Kentucky, and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. He served in the Panama Canal Zone, 4th Battalion, 21st Light Weapons Infantry, for war training. He was sent to Vietnam in 1970 and was the radio operator, Sergeant E-5, with the Americal Division. He was a wounded Purple Heart recipient and was honorably discharged in 1971.
He was a former Adjutant for the Welborn Lee Ashby American Legion Post in 296 in Centertown. Terry served four terms on the Centertown Board of Commissioners and was appointed Mayor in 2014, becoming later elected for two terms as Mayor until his retirement.
He was a former ordained deacon of Longview General Baptist Church, a Kentucky Colonel, and was a licensed ferry boat operator of the Point Pleasant Ferry of Centertown. Terry served 10 years at Nestaway in Beaver Dam, and 35 years at the Post Office of Reynold’s Station, Hartford, Beaver Dam, Echols, McHenry, Rockport and Centertown.
Terry was an avid fan of UK basketball and football and enjoyed listening to music, gardening, and indulging in his favorite chips and salsa. He especially loved watching television and made sure he was always in control of the remote. Above all, Terry cherished spending time with his family, his Kessinger brothers, and especially his beloved grandchildren.
Aside from his parents, Terry is preceded in death by two grandsons, Caleb Barnes and Hunter Shields; two brothers, David Kessinger and Danny Kessinger; three sisters, Betty Wright, Penny Trujillo, and Patty Curtis.
Terry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat Kessinger; three daughters, Mandy (Chris) Hays, Carrie (Joe) Barnes, and Tammy Vargas; and brothers, Gary (Lisa) Kessinger, Mike (Kay) Kessinger, Larry (Kathy) Kessinger, Dennis (Debbie) Kessinger, and Benny (Marquetta) Kessinger. Terry was blessed with two surviving grandchildren, Eli (Hannah) Hays and Chloe (Palemon Clay) Barnes; and one great-granddaughter, Ellie Hays.
Services will be held at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Centertown Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to visitation on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and will resume on Saturday at the funeral home, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Ohio County, 1211 Old Main Street, Hartford, KY 42347, Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741, and Centertown Cemetery Fund, 301 Depot Street, Centertown, KY 42328.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with Terry Kessinger ‘s care.
Please leave condolence messages for Mr. Kessinger’s family and sign the virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.