Birth date: Sep 10, 1947 Death date: Jun 30, 2026
Terry Joseph Fernetti 78, of Frontenac, KS died 8:05am Tuesday June 30, 2026 at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS following an illness. Terry was born September 10, 1947 in Pittsburg, KS the son of Romeo Joseph and Mary Grace (H Read Obituary
My sympathy to Terry's family. He was a very well liked teacher here in Independence. Always enjoyed visiting with him. What a talented guy.
He will always be my favorite art teacher, even surpassing those in kcai. He believed in me from the very beginning. I will never forget his supprt and kindness.
I remeber having to write an essay about a teacher at our school and I chose him. I still recall his shocked face when I asked him if he had television growing up!
I have a very cherished letter from him he wrote to me after I garudated from middle school. He will be missed.
My favorite Art teacher and great friend to my family. I remember how he would draw cartoon Birthday wishes (card) for my mother who also was a school teacher (Shirley Malone). He was wonderful person with a heart of gold.
Mr. F,
He was my art teacher back in middle school in Independence. I really wasn't that good of an artist, but no matter what the assignment was he would give you feedback and some pointers on how to improve.
I think its pretty cool that he taught my 2nd cousin whose 20 years older, an then my uncle as well. When I asked Mr. F, crazy how that man remembered who exactly who they were when I had asked him if he remembered them. I was in the class of '02. Go Indians!!
While i didn't know it in real time, because we were young 7th graders figuring life out, the love and life long impact this man had on literally 1000s of students over the years is beyond measure! I was just a broken kid finding way in life, and poorly at the time, and looking back several times over the years realizing he poured so many more valuable lessons into his students over the decades was so much more valuable than a simple art assignment!
As an adult I've actually thought of him many times over the years and the positive impact and life lessons he taught his students regardless of race, social status etc. As a Dad and now grandpa I know how valuable his caring was on such a diverse group of kids over the years, all of that plus his Art class was the literal highpoint of most everyone's day at IMS!
I loved having him as a teacher and loved how he remembered me specifically decades later when 2 of my 3 kids also had him for Art at IMS!
I'm blessed and a better man due to the impact he had on my own, and so many peers lives!
Go rest with the good Lord Mr. Fernetti and I hope you get all the heavenly blessings you deserve!
Thank you on behalf of thousands of students that you helped shine and find their purpose!
May God forever keep and bless your soul!
What a great teacher. Having my cousin and I in his class at the same time couldn’t have been easy, and we definitely gave Mr. Fernetti a run for his money. I couldn’t even begin to count how many times I had to give him one of my shoes as collateral so I could use one of his pencils. He was one of the good ones and my favorite teacher in middle school. I still tell stories about him from time to time and I’m now grown with my own children.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I had Mr. Fernetti for art when I was in junior high school. I remember him being a fun teacher full of energy. He was always kind and made you feel proud of your work even if you weren't artistic or had that special artist flare. I'm thankful for how he invested in his pupils.
Sally Kaiser
Mr. Fernetti was a deeply kind, sincere, and memorable art instructor who served our community generations over. He personally inspired me to create art in my own life. I took every class I could from him in middle school and when I had my last week of classes with him, he had me promise two things: that I would continue my art outside of schoolwork, and that I would take the opportunity to see a particular Georges Seurat work in-person and reflect upon why he may be asking me to do so. I fulfilled both promises and my life is blessed all the more, manifold over, for doing so. May the memory of Mr. Terry Fernetti be for a blessing and may he rest in peace.
Mr. Fernetti was one of my favorite teachers at Independence Middle School. I moved to Independence in the early 70’s, leaving a military base school, so his gentle approach and his genuine love for art was extremely refreshing! I am saddened to learn of his passing, yet so thankful for a life well lived! He has left an indelible mark on many lives, mine included!
He was my favorite art teacher at Independence Middle School. I never had a problem with him. Very nice teacher. R.I.P
