Merrill Terrance "Terry" Russell

Merrill Terrance "Terry" Russell, 73, of Columbia, Missouri, died unexpectedly at River City Living Community in Jefferson City, Missouri on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, where he had recently gone for rehabilitation.

Terry was born on May 12, 1952, at the Callaway Memorial Hospital in Fulton, Missouri to the late Maurice B. "Rip" Russell and the late June (Wickell) Russell.

Terry and his first wife, Roxanne DeGeer Foster Russell, were blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth DeGeer and Katherine Condray Amyx.

On June 10, 2016, Terry married the love of his life, Leigh Ann Faulkner Simar, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Growing up, Terry attended and was a lifelong member of the Court Street United Methodist Church in Fulton, Missouri. He attended the Woodcrest Chapel Church in Columbia, Missouri as an adult and served there as a camera operator. Terry especially enjoyed his membership in the Woodcrest Chapel's Men's Ministry Group.

Except for a brief stint at the Cabool Elementary School in Cabool, Missouri and a brief stint at Moreau Heights Elementary School in Jefferson City, Missouri, Terry attended Fulton Public Schools. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1970. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri from 1970 until the spring of 1972 at which time he reported to the US Army Training Center for Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After his army training, Terry became a member of the Missouri National Guard where he served and trained at the Fulton, Missouri Armory for a number of years. In later years, Terry completed his college education when he earned a Bachelor of Computer Science degree in Computer Information Systems at Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri.

During his life, Terry worked as a Customer Service Representative and Automotive Manager at Woolco Automotive in Nashville, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky; as a Customer Account Representative at Ford Motor Credit Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico; as a Finance and Insurance Representative at Ziems Motor Company in Farmington, New Mexico, as a Computer Information Technician for the state of Missouri Department of Mental Health in Columbia, Missouri; as the Chief Security Officer for the state of Missouri Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City, Missouri; and, as a small business owner (Russell Insurance Brokerage, in Columbia, Missouri).

Terry appreciated a good joke and loved to laugh. He was passionate about his Grandmother Wickell's custard pie and her homemade dinner rolls (which she taught him to make). Music of various genre was always in his life. He had a small band (Crystal Grey) when in college where they played at different gigs and he played guitar and served as the band manager. Terry also could play an alto saxophone. He was fascinated by his family's ancestry and researched their genealogy for many years. Terry loved the Southwest and was especially happy when in New Mexico. Terry was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout during his youth. Above all else, he was extremely proud of the Eagle Scout rank he worked so hard to achieve. The Eagle Scout rank is the highest and most coveted award in scouting and Terry was honored to receive it. To reach the rank of Eagle, a Scout must complete all prior ranks of scouting. He was always up to playing a game of Pinochle, which is a favorite card game of the Russell and Wickell families. Terry adored his granddaughters (Tivyan and Taysleigh) and loved being called "Papa". He also enjoyed spending time with his father-in-law, Leslie Faulkner, and his special friends, Susie and Jerry Simar.

Terry will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, his two daughters, his step-children, and his step-grandchildren. Those who remain to cherish Terry's memory are his wife, Leigh Ann of the home; daughters Elizabeth DeGeer of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Katherine Condray Amyx (Michael Stock) of Norman, Oklahoma; step-children Anne Foster Rosales of Berkley, California, Jerome Simar, of Columbia, Missouri, Tasha Simar of Columbia, Missouri, Erin Simar Ballou-Crawford (Clark) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Corben Simar (Keyonna) of Huntsville, Missouri; step-granddaughters Tivyan Simar and Taysleigh Simar of Columbia, Missouri; sisters Shauna Russell Qualls of Mexico, Missouri and Rita Russell Adams (Stan) of Fulton, Missouri; nieces Kimberly Force (Chris) of Prairie Home, Missouri and Nichole Tutt (John) of Columbia, Missouri; nephews Matthew Qualls of Mexico, Missouri, Benjamin Qualls (Tracey) of Centralia, Missouri, and Andrew Qualls of Columbia, Missouri; great-nephews Huston Force and Bowen Force of Prairie Home, Missouri;and Issac Qualls of Jefferson City, Missouri; aunt Virginia Simmons (Paul Carver) of Fulton, Missouri and uncle Jan P. Herring of Fulton, Missouri.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mina and Henry Wickell and Gladys and Jewell Willard Russell. He also was preceded by several cousins, along with most of his paternal and maternal aunts and uncles, and his step-son, Jim Foster. Terry's sweet doggie, Layla, also recently preceded him in death.

We praise God that Terry no longer is suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and several other health related issues, and that he is finally well again. His health had been a long time stressor from which he's now free. Terry and Leigh Ann had been looking forward to both of them being retired so they could sit on the patio, drink sweet tea, and just watch the world go by.

Terry's family will receive friends and family members at his visitation on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 5 pm – 7 pm at Maupin Funeral Home, Fulton, Missouri. A service for celebrating Terry's life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, starting at 11 am at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Mallinckrodt officiating. Terry's cremains will be interred later at the Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery, 1479 County Road 1675, Jacksonville, Missouri 65260-3155.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Scouting America, Great Rivers Council or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Boulevard, Fulton, Missouri 65251.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.maupinfuneralhome.com.