James Franklin Terry

James Terry Goreville-James Franklin Terry was born on January 4, 1937, in Goreville to Mildred (Kelley) Terry and Benjamin Franklin Terry. He passed away, surrounded by family and friends, on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Jim enjoyed growing up, along with his many friends, in the small-town atmosphere that he loved. He graduated from Goreville Grade School and Goreville High Scholl, class of 1954, and attended SIU-C briefly. Jim began working for Terry Auto Supply Co., Inc at 16, and later became a part-owner and treasurer of the corporation, where he worked as an outside salesman for 25 years. When the family sold the business, Jim worked for Bowman Distribution of Cleveland for 20 years. Jim loved life in his hometown, and was a people person, enjoying friends and customers across Southern Illinois and beyond. He enjoyed the summers of his childhood at the farm home of his grandparents in Geff, IL, driving tractors, riding horses and swimming in the creek with his cousins. He also enjoyed trips with his parents to Yellowstone, New York City, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, Smokey Mountains and especially the summer trips to Lake Allis in Wisconsin to fish. On August 23, 1953, Jim met the love of his life on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Jim & Dixie Hinkle of Cypress were married at the Cypress Baptist Church on June 3, 1955. Their children are: Pamela Dawn Montgomery of Marion, Julia Susanne Terry of Ft. Pierce, FL, Jay Alan Terry and wife Diane of Cypress, Joel Eric Terry of Marion and Nancy Anne Rehder & husband Steve of Marion. Jim loved his kids deeply and supported them with a passion, as he did the 8 grandchildren. They are: Caleb Ryan Montgomery of Ina, Leah June Montgomery Brummell and Daniel Seth Montgomery both of Jacksonville, FL, Jamie Lee Williams and fiancée, Shawn Mitchell of Goreville, James Nathan Williams, serving with the US Army in Iraq, and his wife Jenilee of Killeen, TX, Ashleigh Dawn Castellano and her husband Chris of Herrin, Lucas Michael Terry, serving in the US Army in Afghanistan, and his wife Sara of Colorado Springs, CO and Matthew Ray Smith of Carbondale. The step-grandchildren are: Nicole Anne Barnaby of Marion, Aubree Marie Castellano, Rehgen Joelyn Catellano, Owen Lane Phelps and Dakota Montgomery all of Herrin. The step-great-grandchildren are: Brianna Roberts & Destiny Roberts of Goreville and Conner Fadely of Cypress. Jim was a people person, enjoyed table hopping, shaking hands and hugging. He never saw a stranger, and was always interested in listening to anyone’s stories. Although he had a reputation of being close with a dollar, he was always overly generous with those in need. That generosity continues, after his passing, with his donation to the “Gift of Life”, in which his tissue and bones will be donated to burn and accident victims. Jim enjoyed his family to the fullest and welcomed them often to his home. He liked the simple pleasures of life. He was a devoted Blakcats fan and supported them with a passion; attending every basketball, baseball and softball game that he could, enjoying the camaraderie of the fans. He loved playing the piano, and was quite talented, in spite of his protests against playing for an audience. Jim was a volunteer at the thrift shop of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance, and made many friends of the customers with his gift of gab. Jim knew Jesus as his Saviour and was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Tunnel Hill, where his parents and grand-parents had attended. He enjoyed having lunch, attending potlucks and playing bingo with the Goreville Senior Citizens, and occasionally being persuaded to play a “boogie woogie” or 2 on the piano. When Jim was diagnosed in April with pulmonary fibrosis, he and Dixie decided to fill their remaining months together by enjoying each moment. They spent the summer going to area events, including a Cardinals game in St. Louis, Miners games, family outings, a daily drive to Ferne Clyffe State Park, going on picnics, reading the Bible, attending concerts and savoring their time together. Jim was preceded by his parents, Ben & Mildred Terry; sister, Alta June Terry (1936); son-in-law, Duco Montgomery III; in-laws, Mildred & Alfred Hinkle, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim Terry will be lovingly remembered by the many people whose paths he crossed, and by his loving family, for whom he was always there. Blue Funeral Home in Goreville is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 5-8 PM at the funeral home in Goreville. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Community of Christ Church in Tunnel Hill with Pastor Glenn Webb and Reverend R.G. Null officiating. Interment will be in Cana Cemetery in Goreville with Goreville Blackcat team members serving as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to the Gift of Life, the Community of Christ Church, Goreville Ministerial Alliance, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Heather Treat Memorial or one of the donor’s choosing. Envelopes will be available during the services or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959.