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TAWA NEWS POST

TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION REMEMBERS AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST TERRY BOX

Thursday, January 06, 2022 4:00 PM | Amy Plemons (Administrator)

Courtesy of dallasnews.com

January 6, 2022 -  The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) joins the automotive world in remembering automotive journalist Terry Box.  Box passed away on Monday, January 3, 2022 at the age of 71. He was an accomplished Texas-based journalist who spent decades covering the automotive industry and we salute his legacy.   

"Terry Box was a friend and esteemed peer to many TAWA members and a highly respected member of the automotive community for decades. His legacy of excellence, enthusiasm and brilliant storytelling will be missed. The Texas Auto Writers Association sends its deepest condolences to Terry’s family and friends,” said current TAWA President Teia Collier.  

Box retired from a long career at the Dallas Morning News in 2016 after spending 35 years at the publication. After starting as a general assignments reporter and moving up the ranks to editor status over the years, he decided to switch gears and in 1993, Box started covering the automotive industry for the Business News section. In 2002, he began reviewing cars for the newspaper when his Business News editor came up with the idea of “Terry’s Garage”. When he published his last article for the newspaper in 2016, it was in fact a “semi-retirement” as Box went on to write car reviews for CarProUSA and then most recently contributed Mustang Memoirs to txGarage.

TAWA members remember Box as an articulate, witty and passionate writer who will be missed:

I respected Terry as a journalist and loved his dry sense of humor. He often gave me a friendly poke in the ribs. - Harold Gunn, 14th TAWA President 

Losing Terry Box seems inconceivable—he was a force of nature. He was also a gentleman and that’s what I will keep in my memory of him: smart but not a show off, irreverent but never mean, funny but not at others’ expense. And always kind. -Debra Hotaling, Head of U.S. Regional Communications, Ford and TAWA member

Terry had a love of cars like nobody I have ever known.  He had a way of mixing his vast knowledge of cars with his extremely funny sense of humor.  When Terry told me he was retiring from the Dallas Morning News, I jumped at the opportunity to add him to my staff as a car reviewer.  He added a whole different dynamic with his reviews.  All of us in the auto industry, especially in the North Texas area, will miss the wit, knowledge, and passion that Terry Box blessed us with and that cannot be replaced.-  Jerry Reynolds, TAWA Member 

Everyone at Toyota Communications has Terry’s family in our Prayers.  It was always great working with Terry.  He was a consummate professional and someone you enjoyed chatting with about cars, the industry and a wide range of subjects, many of which he covered during his journalism career. Greg Thome, Toyota Corporate Communications and TAWA member

Terry Box was one of the most articulate storytellers in the automotive arena. He had the ability to graciously weave a narrative that intrigued and engaged readers nationwide. Always humble, he had access to some of the industry’s highest profile leaders, who universally appreciated his candor, fairness and insights. Terry set a standard for journalism that should be emulated regardless of the subject matter, especially in an age where cranking out content can overshadow the need for quality. Anyone who values great reporting would benefit from a review of his work. He will be missed. Scott Black, TAWA Member 

Terry was one of the most gifted writers in the industry. His quick wit, tenacious love of manual transmissions and down to earth personality will truly be missed by many. I’m so thankful I had the honor of working with him over the years. - Kimberly Shults, South Region Communications, Stellantis and TAWA Board Member

Terry's passing is unbelievably sad. For those of us with an interest in the industry, his reporting was always a great read. And for those with an interest in the motors and the metal, Terry's take on cars, life and their intersection will be sorely missed. I hope he's driving down the highway...the one with no speed limits! - David Boldt, 12th TAWA President 

Getting a call from Terry was affirmation that I was in the right business.  His insights, astute questions, and affable personality were always highlights of my day! - James Bell, Head of Corporate Communications, Kia America and TAWA member

We were both very sad to learn of the death of Terry Box, far too soon. He was a true Texas gentleman, an all-around great guy and one of the most respected auto journalists in the industry. Terry was a talented writer, but his love of automobiles and his love of people combined to make his articles something we couldn't wait to read. He will be missed by all of us. -Jo Ann Holt-Caussey and Durhl Caussey, TAWA Members

Shawn Flemmer shares these thoughts with TAWA members, describing her dad as someone who lived and breathed cars from a young age.

“My dad was larger than life, even though he had a small stature. He lived and breathed cars, starting at a young age he would name every car by make, model and year as they were driving down the street. My dad was such an amazing writer and truly loved what he did- how many people land a dream job of driving cool cars and writing about them?

He was an amazing dad to me and Poppy to his two grandkids, Caroline (19) and Christian (15). My kids were so lucky that they had such a great Poppy and he loved them so much and would do anything for them. He would bring cars to my house and take the kids for rides around the neighborhood. Caroline got to ride in a Ford GT when she was toddler and he took my son and husband on a crazy ride down George Bush in a Hellcat. They had to promise not to tell me or my mom that they went over 100mph.

My dad was the most charming guy around and could take over the room with his stories of cars, partying in college, and water skiing in the dark on Lake Travis(and yes, we couldn't find him, when he finally fell in the water). I can't imagine my life without my dad, Terry Box. My heart aches for the loss of him, but he is no longer in pain. He was a true legend and if you had the pleasure of knowing him, you would know that.”  - Shawn Flemmer, Terry Box’s Daughter

The TAWA community sends its sincere condolences to Terry Box’s family, friends and to all those who knew him. 

TAWA wishes to thank dallasnews.com for photo permission.

Media Contact:

Amy M. Plemons
VP of Communications  
Texas Auto Writers Association 
amplemons.tvproducer@gmail.com

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