Terry is a man whose life has been defined by faith, family, and a deep love for the game of basketball! Being married to Debby for 52 years and having the opportunity to raise 3 kids, Matt, Joel and Allison, has been and is a huge blessing from the Lord!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Known throughout the Keizer and Salem communities, Terry’s passion for God and the church has shaped everything he’s done — from the way he’s coached teams to the way he’s led his family.
For more than 46 years, Terry poured his heart into coaching, impacting athletes at every level — from youth in the Keizer Youth Basketball Association (KYBA) to college players at Western Baptist (now Corban University). His leadership on and off the court reflected his core belief that purpose always trumps circumstance, and that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
Over the years, Terry has been honored with several awards that reflect both his skill and his character — including being named Keizer’s First Citizen, receiving the Beacon Award from the Salem-Keizer School District, earning Corban’s Golden Alumni Award, and being named National Coach of the Year twice by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). But for Terry, the true reward isn’t in trophies or titles; it’s in seeing the young men and women he’s coached grow into leaders, parents, and people of faith. Some of his favorite memories come from championship seasons at Western Baptist, not just for the victories, but for the spiritual and personal growth that happened along the way.
Over the past 20+ years, Terry has faced multiple health challenges, yet his joy and faith have only grown deeper. Many who know him marvel at how he continues to radiate peace and purpose despite the struggles. His strength comes from a steadfast trust in God’s promises — knowing that even in weakness, God’s grace is sufficient.
His spiritual gifts of exhortation and compassion shine through in every conversation, every encouragement, and every prayer he offers for others.
As Terry reflects on his life, he measures his legacy not in wins and losses, but in love and faithfulness. He hopes to be remembered as a godly husband, father, and grandfather who lived for Christ and poured into others with mercy and joy.
His story is a testimony to Romans
3:23 — that while we all fall short, God’s grace redeems and restores. Whether coaching, mentoring, or simply walking through life’s challenges, Terry’s defining moments all point back to the same truth: God’s grace and mercy are all that we have! 🙏
Thank you, Coach, for being on the podcast! 🙌
#Jesusfollower #disciple #servant #coach #familyman #conversationswithbuddy
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For more stories like this, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyJamesPuckettIf you or someone you know want to be on the podcast, please reach out to me on Instagram @conversationswithbuddy or text me at 503-851-8031.
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About Buddy Puckett:
Buddy Puckett has been in the mortgage and finance space and mentoring men for over 25 years. A mentoring opportunity all started when he first began in the mortgage industry in 1998, when he began to mentor a younger guy who happened to be married. This person was not making great choices and it was sadly affecting his marriage. We all are 1 decision away from something really dumb, so accountability became something Buddy knew he needed as well. Buddy’s wife, Shawn, suggested he start a podcast in 2022 to share the stories of people who have struggled,
failed, overcame by realizing the life of love, joy and peace is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ!
“Jesus said to him, ’I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me’.” John 14:6
Buddy Puckett -
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Guild Mortgage
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