Hi. My name is Trina and I was TJ’s supervisor during the time he worked at The Phoenix Zoo. I wanted to share with everyone and especially TJ’s family that we made a plaque to honor TJ and I will attached pictures for you to see. Let me share the story. There’s still a few of us at the zoo who worked with TJ and we all love and adore him. We have shared many tears and laughs as we talked about our memories. How he had the best smile ever. How every morning he walked in with a chocolate chocolate chip muffin or a pop tart. How he had a laugh that made you laugh too. He made the best chili and cornbread and sometimes would bring a big pot into work just to share it with the team. He was never without food. When he worked in Stingray Bay, which was one of his favorite exhibits he would shove all his food in the first upper left cubby. It was so full of his food no one could use it. We dubbed it TJ’s cubby. It’s in this cubby that you will find the plaque. 

I have a lot of personal memories of TJ. All the one on one conversations we had where we talked about things that stayed between us. When he would ask me how the dating life was going and I shared stories with him and I swear I never laughed so hard in my life. Both of us would be hyperventilating from laughter.  The times he called me if he was running late and his stories of why made me laugh but I’m not going to share those here :) He was so incredibly smart and it came so easy for him. He was outstanding at everything he did. You probably heard mention of the stingray profile he put together. I still have the email when he sent it to me and I cherish it. I have a picture at my desk of TJ dressed up like the cowboy on Toy Story with Joaquin dressed as Deadpool around Halloween and they were both riding a camel being silly and laughing. They had a picture taken and gave one to me. That picture has been at my desk ever since and still is. I’ve never forgotten TJ. He was always one of my favorite people and he always will be. I dreaded the day he was going to graduate from school because I knew he was going to move on and I knew how much I would miss working with him. 

I want everyone to know that TJ made a lasting impression at the zoo for those of us that knew him and we miss him too. The plaque is most definitely bitter sweet. If you have the opportunity to come to the zoo, please stop by Stingray Bay and see TJ’s cubby 💚 If any of TJ’s family or friends would like to contact me, please call the zoo and ask for Trina Keafer. You can leave me a message if I don’t pick up. I may be off or out in the zoo.  We would love you to come by and visit one of TJ’s favorite places. 

My deepest condolences to Terry’s family and friends. He was my absolute favorite person to work with and super proud of him and the challenges he overcame, as well as his many accomplishments. I’m heartbroken and deeply saddened by this loss. 

I always loved our Avril Lavigne/Paramore/Illenium karaoke sessions in the Fab, and will forever be proud of the fact that i almost, ALMOST kicked his butt at darts. 

Next Fab karaoke night goes to you, Terry. Love you buddy.