Terry Mitchyl Martin

Terry Mitchyl Martin, 77, of Sutherland, Nebraska, formerly of Holyoke, Colorado, passed away on February 7, 2026, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, following a 10-day hospital stay, and after a courageous 18-year battle with prostate cancer.

Born on September 11, 1948, Terry lived a life rich in hard work, resilience, faith, and deep love for the land and his family. He was a man of unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, assured that he would be reunited in heaven with those who had gone before him.

On January 17, 1970, Terry was wed to Marye O'Brien at the little church in Parks, Nebraska, where they later had three children, Shad, Heather, and KC. They later divorced prior to his move back to Holyoke in 1994.

From 1972 to 1988, Terry and his father farmed and raised cattle across Chase and Dundy Counties in Nebraska, building a legacy rooted in agriculture. The late 1980s brought severe financial difficulties for many farmers and ranchers. To supplement income, Terry began selling seed corn, where he excelled and found success. This work provided a special opportunity for he and his family to visit the Big Island of Hawaii. While there, he toured Parker Ranch—one of the largest private cattle ranches in the world—and fell in love with it. Impressed by his passion and knowledge, they offered him a job on the spot as Intensive Grazing Manager for the entire operation. In 1988, Terry and his family returned home briefly to pack—mostly clothing—and the five of them relocated to Hawaii. Though the experience was remarkable, the family soon missed the mainland, and with Terry's father Bennie falling ill, they moved back to Colorado in 1989 to be close to their loved ones.

Back in Colorado, Terry worked tirelessly to recover from the financial challenges left behind in Nebraska. He “chased” hot air balloons for income, operated a carpet cleaning business, and studied diligently to earn his real estate license, which he completed on February 26, 1991. His real estate career began at a pivotal moment: just as Colorado voters approved limited-stakes gambling in Cripple Creek in 1990, with casinos opening in 1991. Terry's early real estate success came from his honest, good ol’ boy demeanor from Nebraska, earning the trust of investors eager to build casinos there.

Not long after his father's passing, Terry returned to his roots by moving back to Holyoke, Colorado, in 1994. There, he combined his lifelong passion for farming and ranching with his growing expertise in real estate, becoming a dedicated farm and ranch real estate broker. Many of his real estate deals were made right from the road—while driving a truck for Scholls hauling pigs to Guymon, Oklahoma, he spent long drive time on the phone negotiating and closing transactions. Eventually, his success in real estate allowed him to stop driving the truck for Scholls and trade it in for a pickup full time, enabling him to devote himself entirely to showing properties and serving his clients across the region. Many of his deals took him to Lincoln County, Nebraska, and the surrounding region, where he developed a strong love for that country—drawn to the confluence of the Platte Rivers, the rich soils, and the warmth of friends and community.

In 2011, Terry made his final home in Sutherland, Nebraska, where he continued to embrace life with gratitude.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, Terry confronted the illness with remarkable determination and grace. On August 25, 2025, he learned the cancer had metastasized to his liver and lymph nodes. Even then, he pursued every treatment option available, traveling to specialists in Denver, North Platte, Tulsa, Omaha, and Pheonix. Though his final weeks were difficult and his last days painful during the hospital stay, Terry remained surrounded by his devoted family, facing the end with the quiet resilience and faith that defined his character. His family brought him immense joy throughout his life, and he cherished every moment shared with them.

Among Terry's many achievements, one he was most proud of was maintaining nearly 40 years of sobriety, having achieved it on September 26, 1986, at the ARK in Manitou Springs. This steadfast recovery became a cornerstone of his strength, testimony, and the grace he extended to others.

Terry is survived by his two sons: Shadric Martin of Windsor, Colorado, and K.C. Martin (wife Gina Martin) of Holyoke, Colorado; his sister, Pamela Brixey (husband Roger Brixey) of Center, Texas; and six grandchildren: Amber, Haley, Colt, Summer, Tayla, and Teagan Martin; and his beloved companion, Merrilyn Leibbrandt of Imperial, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Bennie and Charlene Martin, and his daughter, Heather Martin.

A Celebration of Terry’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time at New Life Church, 601 E Francis Street, North Platte, Nebraska. All who knew and loved him are invited to join in honoring his memory, sharing stories, and giving thanks for a life well-lived in faith, perseverance, and service to others. Odean Colonial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are to be made to “Running 4 Reasons”, 22422 County Road 37 Holyoke, CO 80734, a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Terry's grandson, Teagan, of which Terry was very proud. The proceeds raised by his memorial will be gifted to various causes that were near and dear to Terry’s heart, including our local hospitals and cancer treatment centers among others.

Terry’s legacy—of faith, hard work on the land, recovery through grace, love for family, and honest dealings—will endure in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him. He has gone home to his Savior, where there is no more pain, only eternal peace.