Ballard Terry Mahurin passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024 with his adoring wife by his bedside. Terry was born in Louisville, KY to Ballard and Hazel and is preceded in death by his older brother Keith. He’s survived by his wife, Peggy, his children Diana and Steve, and his granddaughter Emily.
Terry was a longtime resident of Morgan Hill and dearly loved by family and friends.
After earning a degree in engineering from the University of Kentucky, Terry moved to Los Angeles for a job with North American Aviation and was quickly seduced by California’s warm sunshine and beach culture.
More importantly, it was in LA where he met the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Barry. They dreamed of a life together and wed in August 1963.
The young couple then moved to Lexington where Terry completed his Masters at the University of Kentucky.
In 1966, Terry and Peggy moved to San Jose where he began a 30-year career with IBM and also started their family. In 1976 they moved to their dream home in Morgan Hill, overlooking the waters of Lake Anderson.
Terry thoroughly enjoyed his time at IBM as his passion for learning and problem-solving never faded. He fondly remembered lunchtime in the cafeteria where engineering challenges were worked out on the back of a napkin. Terry’s diligent work ethic earned him three US patents and was a recipient of the President’s Award in the products division. Ultimately, he took an early retirement from IBM but was soon back to work at Selectron. It took four tries to retire, but he finally finished his career at Juniper.
Terry loved aviation early on and obtained his pilot’s license at the age of 17. After his son, Steve, reignited his passion for flying, Terry acquired a Piper Cherokee 180 and enjoyed flying family and friends around Northern California. His greatest adventure was a round trip adventure from Salinas, CA to Louisville, KY, with his son-in-law, JC.
Terry was also a man of faith who joined the Catholic Church in 2005.
The funeral will be held at St. Catherine’s of Alexandria parish on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 10am.
A celebration of Terry’s life will follow the ceremony at Mama Mia’s Restaurant at 275 East Dunne Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor in San Francisco, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
