James Larry Terrell

James Larry Terrell, 89, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, after an extended period of declining health. A beloved father, grandfather, brother, and veteran, he was comforted in his last moments by the presence of his son, Jeffrey.

Born on May 16, 1936, in Anderson, Caswell County, Larry was the eldest child of James Boston and Annie Bronna Terrell, parents he loved dearly. His life began on the Terrell family farm; a birth he often said cost ten dollars. Despite facing a health challenge as an infant requiring surgery, he thrived, eventually moving to his mother’s family "homeplace" to grow up alongside his four siblings. Though he was the only one to eventually move away, his heart remained with them; he never forgot a birthday and spoke of his family with constant affection. The farm instilled in Larry a lifelong work ethic and a resilient faith that guided him throughout his years.

A large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins surrounded Larry. He possessed a great appreciation for history and cherished listening to the stories of the older generations, recalling as a young boy the news of the Pearl Harbor bombing on the radio. Though he grew up during the Depression and World War II, he was remarkably carefree joking that the only thing he was ever scared of was a “mad dog” following a close encounter in his youth.

A graduate of Anderson High School, Larry was voted “Most Musical” and deeply enjoyed reunions with his classmates until he was no longer able to attend. His school years also left him with a lifelong reminder of his sense of adventure: while playing donkey basketball, he was thrown into the bleachers, dislocating his shoulder, an injury he had to be mindful of for the rest of his life.

A proud veteran, Larry volunteered for the U.S. Army as a young man, serving with the 12th Engineer Battalion. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, and later Nuremberg, Germany where he aided in the post-war reconstruction. When on leave he traversed Germany, Italy, and France. While recovering from another dislocated shoulder incident at the Army hospital in Nuremberg, he received a visit and an autographed photo from actress Olivia de Havilland. Later in life he always said he wanted to live to be one hundred, but when Olivia died at 104, he changed his goal to 105.

Following his military service, Larry attended Elon College for a while and then embarked on a rewarding 38-year career with Western Electric (AT&T/Lucent Technologies). He retired as a production supervisor, earning the deep respect of his colleagues for his leadership and reliability.

On July 15, 1961, Larry married his greatest love, Virginia “Ginny” Louise Boggs Terrell. Ginny was the youngest of eleven children from Saxapahaw. She was a witty, fun-loving, and beautiful young woman who always found joy in life. Though she came from a small town, she was a city girl at heart, always drawn to the energy and excitement of a faster pace of life.

Larry met her through his friend who was Ginny’s nephew. Larry was to park on Main Street in Burlington so Ginny could take a passing glance to see if she might be interested in dating him. She was, and following a courtship, marriage, and honeymoon in Miami, they spent 59 years building a life together and bringing up three children. Adventurous spirits to the end, they traveled to all fifty states and over thirty countries by plane, train, car, and ship.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Burlington Ward, Larry was an Elder and served in various positions. He was a lifelong Christian who found great comfort in the Gospel.

A true cowboy at heart, Larry lived his life with a deep appreciation for everything Western. Whether he was following the news or singing along to gospel, country, and the hits of Elvis, his world was always full of music. In his later years, neighbors never had to guess if Larry was nearby; the unmistakable sound of his radio announced his arrival long before he came into view.

A natural-born entertainer with a gift of humor, Larry was a fixture in the local businesses he frequented. Even after he could no longer drive, he remained a frequent topic of affectionate inquiry.

To our father, who championed our success with wise counsel, and our mother, a living saint whose love and friendship was our greatest gift, thank you both for making our house a true home.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Our parents’ legacy remains alive in all of us, and we look forward to the day we are all together again. We miss them dearly every day. It is truly an end to an era, but their story continues through us.

Larry is survived by his children: Jeffrey Duane Terrell (Karen) and their daughter Hannah; Kevin Michael Terrell and his children Jacob and Alexandria; and Kimberly Terrell York (Shannon) and their son Cole. He is also remembered by his siblings: Brenda Terrell Massengill (Vernon), Rex Terrell (Lynn), and Karen Terrell Yeatts (Jerry), his sister-in-law Katie Boggs Bowden (Don) as well as nieces and nephews.

He has now been reunited with those who went before him: his cherished wife, Virginia who passed away in 2020; his parents; and his recently departed sister, Iris Terrell Oakley (Freddy Joe).

Our family is eternally grateful to our brother, Jeffrey, for his selfless, daily care and devotion to both parents over the past six years. His unwavering support and love allowed them to remain in the comfort of their own home.

Deepest gratitude is extended to caregivers Tammy Ledford, Jennifer Roberts, and Molly Foust for the exceptional kindness, friendship, and comfort they gave Larry. The family thanks AuthoraCare Collective for their guidance and support, Alamance County Meals on Wheels for their service, and Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. for their expertise.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Larry will be held at 2:00pm Monday, March 2, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Bishop Brandon Stanford, with the burial to follow the service at Alamance Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory and other times at the residence.

Memorials may be made to AuthoraCare Collective, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or Alamance County Meals on Wheels, 411 West 5th Street, Suite A, Burlington, NC 27215. You may send condolences and watch the service online at www.lowefuneralhome.com