DRAFT
Postal Inspector Terrance "Terry" Asbury
By Aaron Jensen
Who is Terrance Asbury? Like me until recently, I’m guessing most of you have never even heard the name, let alone knew the man. Inspector Terrance Asbury was assigned to Audit who was killed during the performance of his duties in a fatal traffic collision. Inspector Asbury was returning in his vehicle after an audit investigation when his vehicle was struck head-on by a van towing a boat and trailer. Inspector Asbury died four days later as a result of his injuries, passing away at the early age of 39. Still the question remained- who was Terrance Asbury?
Retired Postal Inspector Rich Florence was Inspector Asbury’s Team Leader here in Los Angeles. Rich told me Terry had recently transferred to Los Angeles from Wichita, Kansas. Rich described Terry as a bright young man with a promising future in the Inspection Service. He remembered the terrible accident, the investigation that followed, and how the entire division attended his funeral. He also remembered Inspector Asbury's wife, and how devastated she was. After more digging and a few phone calls, I had a face to face meeting with Jackie Asbury, Inspector Asbury's widow. She shared a lot about the man who liked to be called Terry.
Terry Asbury was born in Wisconsin November 14, 1950. His family moved to the Los Angeles area where he attended NorthHollywoodHigh School. Shortly after turning 18, he enlisted in the United States Army where he was a scout serving multiple tours in Vietnam Nam. Terry’s brother Raywas drafted into service with the Army. Terry was so convinced that his brother was not fit for combat, that he wrote a well penned letter that in effect, removed his brother from combat duty in exchange for an additional tour commitment by Terry. While on personal leave in Hong Kong, Terry met Jackie- who was employed by the Hilton Hotel where many American GI's stayed while on leave. After Terry finished his second tour, he went back to Hong Kong to find Jackie. They fell in love and he eventually moved Jackie and her three children to Simi Valley, California.
Like many Vietnam veterans, Terry struggled financially, but set high goals for himself and his "instant family" as he lovingly referred to them. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1971, Terry began his career in the United States Postal Service. He worked out of the Van Nuys facility, starting as a mail clerk and handler. While working, Terryalso went to school full time at UCLA and Cal State Northridge eventually majoring in Education. He also worked part time as a gardener.
Terry's children benefited from his work ethic and education as he pushed them to learn perfect English and become straight “A” students. More importantly, Terry taught them to be good people. Jackie said that Terry was an excellent father.
While working as a teacher and while still employed with the Postal Service, Terry applied and was ultimately hired as a Postal Inspector. Terry attended the PostalInspectorAcademy and graduated with Class 1986-03 before moving to his first assignment in Wichita, KS. His wife Jackie said he was excited to become a postal inspector since it was a job where he could do some good in the world.
He was described by an Academy classmate as being a real gentleman with quiet confidence. After a few years in Kansas, Terry took advantage of an opportunity to return back to Los Angeles where he maintained his original residence in Simi Valley his home. His life was cut short, but in his short time, he served his country, became a postal inspector, and had a huge positive impact on the lives of Jackie and her three children. Jackie said her life in Hong Kong was incredibly difficult- and that Terry saved her life. Although she and Terry had their own share of struggles, she enjoyed struggling alongside him as his wife.
Understandably, after the death of her husband, Ms. Asbury was overcome with grief and did not want to talk about him with anyone as it was too difficult. As time has helped her overcome some of her grief, it is important to Ms. Asbury and her family that the Inspection Service remembers Terry for the great man he was. The Los Angeles Division Diversity Council has been working on a project to help memorialize Inspector Asbury. On December 19, 2012 Congress passed H.R. 6587 which will in effect designate the facility at the Mt. McCoy Post Office in Simi Valley, CA as the “PostalInspectorTerryAsburyPostOfficeBuilding”. President Obama has signed the bill and there will be a formal dedication ceremony in the Spring of 2013.
Who was Terrance Asbury? He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a war veteran, an educator, and a Postal Inspector. As part of the Inspection Service family here in Los Angeles, it is important that we take care of one another, and remember our fallen brothers and sisters.
Postal Inspector Terrance “Terry” Asbury
Hire Date:
End of Watch: February 3, 1990
Survived by Wife Lam Lai-Har “Jackie” Asbury, Daughter Diane Asbury, Son Kim Ming Asbury, and Son Kim Hung Asbury