The family of John Emerson Terrell of Wauchula, Florida, is saddened to announce his passing on May 3, 2024 at the age of 85 years. John is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mildred Carlton and John Dewey Terrell. John is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Tito Terrell. He is survived by his loving family, son, John Dane Terrell and wife Charlotte Terrell; daughter Tracy Baxter and husband John Baxter; and daughter Claire Cornell and husband W.W. Cornell. He has seven grandchildren that he loved dearly, Wintz Terrell (Ali), the late Daniel Baxter (Alaina), Dana DuBose (Collin), Hannah Reeves (Parker), Warren Cornell, Will Cornell, and Caroline Cornell. He has three great grandchildren, River Terrell, Wyatt Baxter, and James Reeves.
John was born in Lake Alfred, Florida, on March 15, 1939 to Mildred Carlton and John Dewey Terrell. He moved to Wauchula in 1949. John was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Wauchula. He graduated from Hardee Senior High School in 1957. He attended the University of Florida on scholarship to play football for the Gators. John met the love of his life at the University of Florida, and married Tito Terrell in 1959. They moved to Tampa, Florida, where John continued his education and graduated from University of Tampa with a bachelor's degree, and then attended and graduated from Ole Miss with a master's degree. University of Tampa recognized and awarded John the "Most Distinguished Alumni". John served in the Air Force Reserve and became a distinguished educator. He was passionate about education, so much that he served as a coach, teacher, principal at Bowling Green Elementary, and the Hardee County District Superintendent (1976-1984). John envisioned, and saw to completion, the construction and building of Hardee Senior High School while superintendent. John was inducted into the Hardee Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Hardee Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame in 2018. He was the first person to be inducted into both halls of fame. John loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed golfing and traveling extensively. He loved sports as a whole, whether it be playing or watching, John was always supporting others. John never met a stranger, as he was social with everyone. If he didn't know you, he would start with, "Where are you from?", and find a way to make a connection.
The Memorial Service to celebrate the life of John Emerson Terrell will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at First Baptist Church Wauchula at 10:00 AM with a Graveside Service to follow. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Wauchula or the Hardee Athletic Foundation, as these were two of John's passions: faith and sports.