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Donald Terrell Obituary
Captain Terrell was born to Wesley Gallimore Terrell and Sarah Margaretta Riggs Terrell, in Bridgeport, Connecticut on August 6, 1930. He grew up in Bellevue, Kentucky and spent his boyhood camping on the shores of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. He attended the University of Cincinnati before joining the Navy in 1949. He became a Naval Aviation Cadet where he learned to fly at NAS Pensacola. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a captain from the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1965.
While stationed at NAS Pensacola, he met Lunette Campbell whom he married in 1954, the same year he began his career with Delta Airlines. They had four daughters and raised them in Addison, Illinois and Pass Christian, Mississippi. The "Terrell Girls" were joined by two brothers after he married Kaaren Fay Parsons in 1976.
Captain Terrell's long career with Delta began on the DC-3 and ended as a captain on the L-1011 in 1990, having been based in Chicago, New Orleans, Miami and Atlanta. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time on the lake with family and friends and returning to Pensacola for the annual family get-together at the beach.
He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife, Kaaren, of Jonesboro, GA, daughters: Diana McGuffie of Jackson, MS; Cindy Walsh (Bill) of Madison, MS; Sharon Terrell of Pensacola, FL; Darien Terrell of Orlando, FL and sons, Daniel Terrell of Athens, GA and Adrian Terrell (Shelby) of Fort Bragg, NC. Grandchildren include: Megan McGuffie, Philip Walsh (Jodi), Lauren McGuffie Ellington (Joe), Brent Walsh, Blair McGuffie, Daniel McGuffie and great-granddaughter, Marley Kate Johnston. Other loved ones include: Lunette and E.J. Sacks, Kenneth Parsons, Angie Mahurin, Beverly Busino and Aisha Pujadas.
Burial will be in the Barrancas National Cemetary at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Funeral services are incomplete at this time. Please contact Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 7433 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola, FL 32526, 850-944-0355 for further information. Please see memorial page at Legacy.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Humane Society or the Red Cross.
Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, Inc. Jonesboro/Stockbridge 770-210-2700 www.fordstewartfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Terrell
Darien Kay Terrell
August 4, 2021
Dear Dad,
We are approaching what would have been your 91st Birthday in a couple days. We lost you almost 10 years ago. It's so hard to believe, still that you are gone, yet with time, has also come blessings. The blessing of all our love for Bluebirds, the blessing of family reunions even when it's only a few of us, the blessing of new family, and the blessing that we always have the Lord's promise of our future in Heaven where we will be together once again. Happy Birthday Dad! I love and miss you so much, Still.......
Your daughter,
Darien
October 10, 2012
I woke up today at 6:39am - 2 minutes after Jesus took you home a year ago today. How I long to hold your gentle hands again, and see the smile on your face. We have shed a thousand tears, and yet they continue to flow. The greatest joy life brought you was being with your family and kitties, and there will never be a day where you are not in my thoughts bringing me love. Thank you Dad for all the things you taught me - especially to love and care for nature and all God's creatures. Thank you Dad for being the best Daddy a little girl could have, and never forgetting to kiss me goodbye before your trips. Thank you Dad for all of those swims to the bottom of the pool with my arms wrapped around your neck. And thank you Dad for all of my millions of memories that will carry me through the rest of my life until I see you again. I love you Dad, and I miss you. Your daughter, Darien
Picture done by Diana Terrell
Angie Mahurin
October 9, 2012
One year ago tomorrow this was my Facebook post 'Today the world lost a great man. R.I.P. Donald Terrell; father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, and friend. "Pop, Don, Dad, Grandpa" God speed on your final flight to your resting place in Heaven. May your wings shine bright! You will be greatly missed but in all of our hearts always.'
It has been an empty year. I can hear your laugh in moments of tranquility. I know you are near. Your hankie is in my purse and makes Darien cry at the sight of it. I guess I should wash it but I hate the thought of it. It holds a lot of tears shed over the past year. Know you are loved and missed.
Sharon
October 6, 2012
Well here we are Dad, almost a year since you went to be with the Lord. They say the deeper you love,the deeper you grieve and I really think that is true Dad. We have had a lonely year without you. The great joy of Owen's birth as wonderful as it is (he is such a special baby!)has missed your being here to hold him. So many things Dad that your presense kept nutured are gone. I can hear you now though," You gotta get tough", so we are trying Dad, day by day, one good, one not so good. One moment of laughter, one moment of tears. One thing I have clearly learned in this past year Dad is as disfunctional as we all thought we might have been, We are a very strong,close,loving family who deeply love each other and even seperation cannot change that bond that binds us! We love you and you are never far from our hearts!
Lauren
April 23, 2012
Grandpa,
Your first great grandson was born two weeks ago today... Owen Christopher is an adorable, strong little man. I know you would be so proud if you were still with us today. I will never forget how you chuckled with happiness and pride when I told you I was pregnant with your second great grandbaby! When I was in the hospital after giving birth, we heard airplanes flying over every morning. That gave me the perfect opportunity to tell Owen about his Great Grandpa and I look forward to taking him to the airport to watch the airplanes taking off and landing. I miss you very much and wish you were still here with us to meet Owen face to face. But I am comforted and find peace knowing that Owen has a guardian angel in heaven watching over him, Marley and the rest of the gang!
I love you,
Lauren
Dad's 80th Birthday party with his 6 children.
Darien Terrell
February 16, 2012
Hi Dad, there is not one day that passes that I don't think of you and wish you were here. My only comfort is knowing that I will see you again in Heaven some day. I know you must be very busy with Grandma and rest of the family, but we sure do miss your face. I love you, Darien
B. L.
October 26, 2011
Trust that God will strengthen you during your time of sorrow. Isaiah 26:4.
Sharon Terrell
October 18, 2011
Just today Dad, I wanted to talk to you. A bit of work news I normally would share with you to hear your excitment! Then came the reality of the moment,the overwhelming tears. Oh, how I will miss you forever Dad! You are SO loved by your family! The hole in my heart your absense has created can never be filled again.
But... Someday in Heaven Dad, someday in Heaven. We will all be there together! I love you!
Jo White-Allen
October 13, 2011
Blair, I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man. Sending prayers for the family. All my love.
October 13, 2011
When I think of Don, I remember all the fun times flying with him back in the "old" days of 1958 and '59 out of CHI, my prayers go out to the Terrell family, it was a pleasure to have known Don. Pat Ritchie Nease
October 12, 2011
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was such a nice person and I know he will be misssed by many of us. Linda (Bradley) Hulsey.
Megan Terrell
October 12, 2011
So many fond memories....
Rollin Jackson
October 12, 2011
Kaaren and other family survivors,
As secretary of Delta Golden Wings, Inc., a fraternal group of active and retired Delta pilots, I send a message of condolences from our entire membership. More especially, sadness from all the members that knew Don or flew with him during his active Delta days.
May God's blessings be with the entire family as each adjusts to Don's passing. May your many fond memories of the things you did together give you solace as you live out your future days and engage in your daily activities.
With fraternal sympathy,
Captain Rollin A. Jackson, Jr. (Ret.)
B-767 International Captain - ATL
Secretary/Historian, DGW, Inc.
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