Gerald D. Terrell

Oct. 4, 1931-March 27, 2011

WESLACO, Texas -- Gerald D. Terrell, 79, formerly of Grand Island, Nebraska passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011, in Weslaco.

Funeral services are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Rev. Jack Sample officiating. Burial is at Phillips Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until service time on Wednesday. Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gerald was born on Oct. 4, 1931, near Culbertson, Nebraska, in Hayes County, the son of William and Carrye (Korell) Terrell. Gerald attended grade school in Hayes County and graduated from Culbertson High School in 1948.

He worked on the family farm near Culbertson until joining the U.S. Marine Corp in March of 1951, in which he served one year in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1954. After returning from Korea he worked again on the family farm.

Gerald was united in marriage to Patricia Hollars of McCook, Nebraska on Aug. 14, 1956. Gerald and Patricia moved to San Diego, California where he worked for Western Electric, and returned to the family farm in 1957. After leaving the family farm he worked for a rancher near Palisade, Nebraska.

In 1967, Gerald and his family moved to Grand Island where Gerald was employed by Ford New Holland for which he worked until retiring in 1991. Gerald and Patricia traveled to several different retirement locations in the nation's southern states and in 2001 Gerald and Patricia moved permanently to Weslaco.

Gerald was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island, a lifetime member of the VFW and past commander of Post No. 8047. Gerald was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed being with family, wood working, gardening, fishing and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; one son, Timothy (Sheila) Terrell of Lincoln, Nebraska; one daughter, Kathy (Alan) Arnett of Phillips, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Karla (Danny) Beran of Grand Island, Gregory Arnett of Grand Island and Hannah Terrell of Lincoln; and one great-grandchild, Kinsley Beran of Grand Island.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Verna Opal Terrell, Maxine Barth, Valeda Fisher and Kathleen Lockwood; and two brothers, Olan Terrell and Kenneth Terrell.

Apfel Funeral Home of Grand Island is in charge of the arrangements.