MOSS POINT—Some people know a good thing when they have it, and for Terry Bounds, the Moss Point School District and life in the river city has been where he spent his formative education years, his entire career and now remains for the retirement structure.
Along with being a creature of habit outside of his home, he is the same at home with the love of his life who shares not only his last name, but his first name as well. Bounds said his wife, Terri, has been his companion for all of his professional days in the district and even a year longer.
“I enjoyed my job teaching and feel blessed to have had that opportunity,” Bounds said, who was hired as a marine mechanics instructor teaching outboard engine repair at the Moss Point Vocational Center.
Bounds began his career in Moss Point in 1983, just five years after his high school graduation from Moss Point. He said he taught for 29 years but retired with 30 years of service when his year of sick leave was included. He is a lifelong resident of Moss Point where he spent his childhood and adult days enjoying the amenities of living along the river.
“I have always enjoyed the water,” he said, recalling his adventures in fishing, boat racing, and all kinds of other water activities. “I still enjoy fishing, but now I can spend time with my wife and family at our river camp.”
In his retirement, he continued to live in the community surrounding Moss Point high school, a place he passes every time he leaves his home. He said he decided to continue his employment with the district as a bus driver to give each day a purpose.
“I started driving a school bus while teaching in the year 2000,” Bounds said. “I went back to driving a bus as a retiree because it gave me some structure during my retirement days.”
While it isn’t always what it is cracked up to be, he said he enjoys his job and the people and students he interacts with daily. This is his 43rd year with the district, and he said he will probably drive one more year before fully retiring.
If not driving a bus or spending time on the water, his other favorite place to be is preparing food in the kitchen or on the patio. He is a local legend with his crawfish boils and grilled specialties.
Looking back over the career and life he has continued from childhood to adulthood, he says, “I’ve been truly blessed my entire life.”
He and his wife have two grown children and are now enjoying their three bonus grandchildren.
