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Car dealer remembered as generous man

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XENIA — Long-time Xenia car dealer Terry Tobey is being remembered as a generous, charitable person who supported his community.

Mr. Tobey died July 25 after a brief illness.

He opened Key Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on US Route 68 North in 1976 after starting his career with the Chrysler Corporation in 1964, and became a fixture in the Xenia area. He was always visible in the community, especially supporting animal sales at the Greene County Fair.

“I spent many a Friday night of fair week sitting in the sale arena buying lambs with Terry,” County Engineer Bob Geyer said. “He was a huge supporter of the lamb sale year in and year out. Terry was a generous man.”

According to Mr. Tobey’s son, Chris, they bought nearly 40 last year.

“We bid on the ones where there were no other bids,” Chris Tobey said. “He was very involved.”

Key Chrysler is still the only new car dealer in Xenia, and Geyer made a habit of patronizing Tobey, 75, for personal and county vehicles.

“All of the other auto dealers left Xenia after the 1974 tornado and moved to Beavercreek, but Terry saw fit to remain here and service the citizens of Xenia,” Geyer said. “The community has lost a great business leader.”

Sheriff Gene Fischer first met Mr. Tobey when he was young Xenia police officer. One particular interaction was emblematic of how Tobey treated the community.

“As a Xenia cop I was driving around checking Key Chrysler,” Fischer said. “One night he was out in the snow grilling steaks (for a holiday party). He invited me to get out of the car and eat with him.”

Fischer said Mr. Tobey always treated his employees well. But his kindness wasn’t limited to them.

“He was an ambassador for the county,” Fischer said. “He was very personable. He just did all kinds of things.”

Mr. Tobey was a member of many charitable boards and a staunch supporter of Wright State University and the Cincinnati Bengals.

“The community lost a man who cared deeply and gave back willingly,” Chris Tobey said. “I lost an amazing father and my mom (Diane) lost an amazing husband.”

Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Monday, July 31 at Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Good Shepherd Luther Church, 901 E. Stroop Road, Kettering.

Tobey
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By Scott Halasz

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Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.