Terrell Lynn Thomas

1947 - 2014

Terrell Lynn Thomas November 3, 1947 - February 26, 2014 Resident of Santa Cruz, CA Terrell Lynn Thomas, Musician, DJ, personality. Terrell Lynn Thomas - "The Man Who Saved Virginia City"! (per Virginia City Register, July 2005) Kevin Randick: When I first met Terrell, at 13, he was an avid long distance bike rider, racer and later a speed skater. In High School, we learned how to surf together. Again, he became an avid and accomplished surfer. A hobby he embraced all through high school and beyond. At 15 Terrell got into music. He played guitar, mainly folk, but ventured into other forms as well, ie. blues. Artist, Terrell was a natural artist. What came natural to him, other people had to work on to succeed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and engaged people with such a kind way. He had a sincere interest in other people's lives. Another mutual friend called and reminded me about Terrell's infectious laugh. He was an avid reader, always up to date on politics and world affairs - a virtual encyclopedia in many facets of music. I am so honored, among all his many friends in music, to have been willed his base guitar. Anne Steinhardt ("Pele Voodoo"): My most vivid picture of Terrell Lynn Thomas is back in the 60's, when Santa Cruz, not yet bustling and gentrified, was the West Coast epicenter of a magical era that crashed on the harsher realities of the 70's. Back then he was as handsome as a god, tall, slender, with straight, shoulder length rock star blonde hair. But outshining the classic good looks was the radiance of a deeply sweet soul.Together with a variegated assortment of hippy housemates, artists and musicians all, we shared a farmhouse at the end of Golf Club Drive, known as Rancho Retardo, the foremost commune in Santa Cruz, notorious for its' nudist lifestyle and wild parties featuring psychedelic smoothies. A roller skating fad had seized our merry gang, and my standout image of Terrell Lynn, he is wearing shoe skates backstage while my band Jango was on break, probably the old Catalyst or White Buffalo. I can see him as if it were yesterday, lithe and graceful, gliding around the band room. Down the years we also spent weeks together in a peripatetic house party and jam session in Nevada's Black Rock desert (long before Burning Man) at a kind of Rancho Retardo annex in the high desert called "Planet X". Terrell loved the surreal solitude and beauty so much he moved there. We'd been out of touch for awhile when the news came that he'd suffered a stroke. Last year friends from all over the country reunited in Harvey West Park to celebrate another iconic Santa Cruz watering hole, United Bar. Limping slowly towards me, leaning on a cane, came a portly figure, face and body somewhat off kilter. But transcending the damaged shell, his Terrell Lynn radiance still dazzled in the warm sweetness of his smile, in the loving, positive spirit surrounding him like a force field. Now, I picture him, slim and erect once more, roller skating around the Big Band Room in the sky. Gilbert Klein ("Fatchance"): Terrell Lynn Thomas passed away Wednesday morning Feb. 26,2014 after a three- day "cold". Born in Fort Ord, California, and having been in the National Guard, Terrell Lynn had been working for the phone company when he accompanied a friend to KFAT, a struggling radio station in Gilroy and came home with a DJ job. He knew the traditional as well as contemporary country music and was a formative voice in the distinctive, unique sound of the station. Many friends and fans will remember his soft voice, his musical historical knowledge, and his natural, excellent musical instincts. After KFAT, Terrell Lynn remained active in the music scenes in Santa Cruz, the Bay Area, and Virginia City, NV and several other northern Nevada cities.. Terrell Lynn suffered health issues, but remained a valued friend to all who knew him. Clearly a man of the Sixties, Terrell Lynn embodied all the best of the period, remaining upbeat and always willing to help a friend or to play or talk about music. KFAT was the template for what became known as Americana Music, which is currently the fastest-growing music category in the United States, and Terrell Lynn Thomas was one of its pioneers. He is survived by many friends, fans and his sweetheart, Catherine Hogan of Santa Cruz. Post Stroke: I saw you under that Hat. I heard you'd been a dj and my inner 13 year old thought "ooh, he's famous!" I heard you were a musician and my inner 15 year old groupie thought, "ooh, Heee's a musician!" I fell head over heals. your Catherine Memorial Services: 3/16/14 The Ponderosa, 6pm, Virginia City, NV, 3/17/14 Bev's Minor's Club, 6pm, Gerlach, NV, Tribute: 5/24/14 - venue - tba, 1-6pm, Santa Cruz, CA In Terrell Lynn Thomas's name, donations may be made to the Cabrillo Community College Stroke Center, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA