Thomas Clifton Terrell

Thomas Clifton (“Tom”) Terrell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, dedicated servant of the Lord, and United States Marine passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of courage, strength, and unwavering faith. 

Born in 1939 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to John Earl and Ruby Grace (Nelson) Terrell and raised in both Tulsa and Muskogee, Oklahoma, Tom graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1961 with a degree in History and a minor in English/Philosophy. He attended the university on a four-year U.S. Navy scholarship. Just prior to his graduation, he met the love of his life, Kathleen Elizabeth (“Kathy”) Vincent, in a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Muskogee. Five dates later, Tom asked Kathy to marry him. They married on November 17, 1961, and their adventure together began. 

Upon his graduation, Tom took the Marine Corps option and served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, where he attained the rank of Captain and bravely volunteered for duty in Vietnam. While in Vietnam from September 1966 to October 1967, he served at several locations, including Hue, Chu Lai, Da Nang, and the Dong Combat Base, where he earned several commendations, including two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (for Valor), and the Purple Heart, along with other commendations and awards for excellence. 

After his military service, Tom attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later took the position of Assistant Pastor and Youth Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In the mid 1970’s, Tom became the first Headmaster at Happy Hill Farm, a Christian school for underprivileged and emotionally challenged children. Later, he pursued a career in education and real estate, becoming a respected instructor and mentor in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and throughout the State of Texas. His commitment to teaching and his love for sharing knowledge made a lasting impact on his students and colleagues. He developed a successful real estate pre- and post-licensing program at the University of Texas at Arlington and taught real estate licensing classes at various universities, colleges, and real estate schools throughout the years, including at UTA, UNT, Cedar Valley College, Dallas College, and the Real Estate Buyer’s Council, until he stopped teaching online classes at the age of 81. During those many years of teaching, Tom received numerous accolades for his excellence in teaching, including being asked to serve on the Texas Legislature’s Broker/Lawyer Committee, and he wrote numerous textbooks on real estate principles, agency, and contracts.

Tom and Kathy were married for 63 years, and their life together was a testament to his leadership and deep faith in God, rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Savior of humanity. Tom passionately shared God’s love and truth with everyone, investing in the lives of his children—John Charles, Clifton Matthew, and Evelyn Grace—teaching them to prioritize their faith and convictions above all else. As John, Matt, and Evelyn found their own spouses (Joanne, Valerie, and Michael, respectively), Tom loved each of their spouses with his whole heart. As the grandchildren began to follow, Tom’s heart grew even bigger.

Tom cherished his role as a grandfather to John’s and Joanne’s children, Jacob and Jordan, Matt’s and Valerie’s children, Hannah, Caleb, and Joshua, and Evelyns’ and Michael’s children, Caitlin, Victoria, Ethan, and Abigail. As the grandchildren grew, Tom was grateful for God’s grace in letting him witness five of his nine grandchildren finding and uniting with their spouses – Caitlin with Joe Fletcher, Victoria with A.J. Friend, Hannah with Kellen Day, Caleb with Annalee Eberlein, and Ethan with Jackie Keleher. Tom also embraced the joy of being great grandfather to Olivia, Parker, Franklin, Riley, and Hank. His playful spirit and nurturing nature brought laughter and love to every gathering. Whenever the grandchildren and great grandchildren were with him, which was often, Tom always made it his mission to “bring the fun” while teaching them important lessons of faith and values. Even more, his nurturing spirit overflowed beyond his family, embracing countless children in his community and earning the affectionate title “Grandpa Buddy” from many. Through his great devotion to the Lord and his family, Tom created countless cherished memories for his family and others, showing them with his life how to love and serve people well while instilling the values of faith, love, and faithfulness for generations to come. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Terrell, and sister, Martha Elizabeth (Terrell) Penzol. He is survived by Kathy, his devoted wife, his three children and their spouses, his beloved nine grandchildren and their spouses, and five great-grandchildren, all of whom hope to faithfully carry forward his legacy of faith, love, and service. His life was a beautiful journey of love and adventure, grounded in a faith in Jesus Christ that inspired all who knew him. In his own words, “God is so good…all the time…in every circumstance.” Tom Terrell’s life was a testament to this truth, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

If desired, memorials may be made to any of the following organizations that meant so much to Tom:  Help transform a kid's life by giving to www.happyhillfarm.org, or to Cross City Church at www.crosscity.church, or to www.samaritanspurse.org