MARS HILL and HOLMES BEACH, Fla. – Gerald A. Terrell, 82, went home to be with our Lord Monday, July 13, 2009, in Presque Isle, with his three daughters and youngest grandson at his bedside. He was born July 24, 1926, in Blaine, the son of Arthur and Erma (Chase) Terrell. Jake enjoyed growing up on a small family farm. After serving his country in World War II, he returned to Mars Hill. He and his wife, Lois, bought a farm on the East Ridge Road where they grew potatoes and raised three daughters who all helped him on the family farm. Upon moving back to Maine, Jake attended East Ridge Union Church, Mars Hill. He will be most remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and how much he loved to play pranks on everyone he cared about. He had a giving heart and was always willing to help a friend or a neighbor. Playing Santa Claus for the children in the community and his very special grandchildren, was one of his favorite memories. He is survived by his three loving daughters, Pamela Hallett and her husband, Frank, of Portage Lake and North Fort Myers, Fla., Deborah Cheney and her husband, Steven, of Blaine, and Kristi Tilley and her husband, Donnie, of Mars Hill; three stepdaughters, Donna Richardson and her husband, Gene, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Denise Nazaretian of Sarasota, Fla., and Debbie Dickson and her husband, Jim, of Brick, N.J.; grandchildren, Christopher Hallett and his wife, Andrea, of New Sweden, Jessica Hargreaves and her husband, Jeremy, of Sebago, Jennifer McNulty and her husband, Ian, of Brewer, Marcie Cheney of Arlington, Va., Courtney Cheney and his wife, Laura, of South Arlington, Va., Tonya Alexander, who dedicated the last five years of her life living with and caring for her dear grandfather, of Mars Hill, Sarah Alexander and Cody Alexander, both of Mars Hill; stepgrandchildren, Gene and Brian Richardson, Nicole Foster and her husband, Daniel, Jimmy Dickson and his wife, Krystin, and Karl Dickson; six great-grandchildren, Jack and Emily Hallett, Lydia and Bailey Terrell Alexander, and James and Robert Dickson; sisters, Rowena Grass of Bridgewater, and Norma McCrum and her husband, Bertram, of Mars Hill; and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Terrell of Blaine. In addition to his parents, Jake was predeceased by his first wife, Lois; his second wife, Beverly; a brother, Charles; and two sisters, Kathleen and Greta. Friends may call 1-2 p.m. Friday, July 17 at East Ridge Union Church, Mars Hill, where a celebration of Jake’s life will be conducted 2 p.m. with Pastor Lawrence Beals officiating. Military committal services will then be at Tapley Cemetery, Blaine. A time of fellowship will be held at the church directly after the interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jake’s memory may be made to Lois I. and Jake Terrell Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 153, Portage Lake, ME 04768. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
GERALD A. ‘JAKE’ TERRELL
