Terrence Desmond Loui “Terry”
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Vital Information
- Born: March 5, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Died: May 24, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii (age 53)
- Cause of Death: Complications secondary to strokes
- Parents: Wallace Loui, Florence Chinn Loui
- Siblings: Michael Loui, Warren Loui, William Loui, Ronald Loui
Medical History and Survival
Childhood Brain Tumor (Age 7)
In 1966, at age 7, Terry was diagnosed with a rapidly growing brain tumor. The prognosis was grim:
- Doctors predicted only 5 years to live
- Surgery could not fully remove the tumor
- Underwent experimental high-dose radiation treatment
- Resulted in significant brain damage
Remarkable Survival
Despite the 5-year prognosis, Terry lived an additional 41 years, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination. His survival represents the triumph of will and medical advances over a childhood cancer that would have been fatal in earlier eras.
Education
- Punahou School, Honolulu - Graduated 1978
- Chaminade University of Honolulu - Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (1982)
Professional Career
Information Technology Specialist
Terry worked as an IT specialist focusing on:
- Hardware systems
- Software systems
- Local Area Network (LAN) systems
Employment
- Wheeler Army Air Field - IT support
- Hawaii Department of Health - IT support
Recognition
- Defense Information Systems Agency-Pacific - Recognition for resolving over 300 trouble calls within two months
- Region 9 Employee of the Month - Honored for exceptional service
Community Service
Throughout his life, Terry volunteered with nonprofit organizations, continuing his mother’s legacy of community service.
Family
Parents
- Mother: Florence Chinn Loui, pioneering physician who raised five sons as single mother
- Father: Wallace Loui
Brothers
- Michael Loui - Computer Science professor at Purdue University
- Warren Loui - Attorney, winemaker, USC Law professor
- William Loui - Medical oncologist/hematologist
- Ronald Loui - Computer Science professor, AI researcher
Nephews and Nieces
- Eight nephews (including Nicholas Loui, Ryan Loui)
- Two nieces (including Samantha Loui)
Timeline
| File | type | date | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 - Terry Loui Brain Tumor Survival | medical | 1966 | Honolulu, Hawaii |
Sources
Notes
Extraordinary Resilience
Terry’s life story is one of remarkable resilience and determination. Diagnosed at age 7 with a brain tumor that should have claimed his life within 5 years, he:
- Underwent experimental radiation treatment (1960s medical technology)
- Survived significant brain damage from treatment
- Completed high school at prestigious Punahou School
- Earned a college degree in Computer Science
- Built a successful career in information technology
- Lived 41 years beyond his prognosis
- Contributed to his community through nonprofit work
Family Context
Terry was raised by his mother Florence Chinn Loui, a pioneering physician who maintained a full-time medical practice while raising five sons as a single parent. This meant Terry received expert medical advocacy during his childhood illness while being part of a family that emphasized:
- Education and professional achievement
- Overcoming barriers
- Community service
- Resilience in the face of adversity
Professional Achievement
Despite his medical challenges, Terry succeeded in a technical field (IT), demonstrating:
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under pressure (300+ trouble calls in 2 months)
- Dedication and reliability (Employee of the Month)
- Technical expertise in hardware, software, and networking
Legacy
Terry’s story represents:
- The advances in pediatric oncology and radiation treatment
- The power of determination and family support
- The importance of experimental medicine and research
- A life well-lived despite extraordinary challenges
His death in 2012 meant he predeceased his mother Florence by 5 years. She died in 2017 at age 90.
Historical Significance
Terry’s survival of childhood brain cancer in the 1960s represents an important chapter in medical history. The experimental high-dose radiation that saved his life also caused significant damage, illustrating the difficult trade-offs in early pediatric oncology. His 41 additional years of life validated those difficult medical decisions.
Research Needed
- Full details of brain tumor diagnosis and treatment
- Schools attended before Punahou
- Complete employment history
- Nonprofit organizations he supported
- More details about his IT career
- Memorial or funeral service information
- Photos from throughout his life