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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan 02
HAROLD ALVA TERRELL, JR. * '46
No. 15532 * 6 Jan 1925 - 8 Apr 2001
Died in Gainesville, GA * Interred Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville,
GA. |
HAROLD A. TERRELL, Jr. was born and raised in Gainesville, GA. Hal graduated
from Gainesville High School in 1942. He distinguished himself there as
President of his senior class. He attended Clemson College for one year
before gaining his appointment to West Point where he joined the Class
of 1946 on 1 July 1943.
Hal encountered few problems as a cadet in A-2 Company. He thoroughly
enjoyed intramural sports. Classmate, Bob Steele, wrote: "Hal held so much
respect in our company that he was elected without opposition to be our
honor representative." He graduated a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
Shortly after graduation, Hal married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn
Porter, in Gainesville, GA on 10 June 1946. His active duty career started
at the Field Artillery School at Ft Sill, OK and spanned 28 years. He considered
himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve as commander of
three Field Artillery batteries, one in combat in Korea, and as commander
of a Field Artillery Battalion for almost two years in a combat ready situation
in Germany. He considered his assignment as a math instructor at West Point
one of his most difficult and stimulating. He served from 1967-1970 in
the Safeguard Ballistic Missile Command in Washington, DC. His final assignment
before retirement was as PMS and Commandant of Cadets at North Georgia
College in Dahlonega, GA. Hal considered it an opportunity to virtually
run his own Military College, as everything military was his responsibility.
While on active duty, Hal earned two advanced degrees; the first, a
Masters in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He earned a Masters
in Business Administration from George Washington University while attending
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Hal retired in 1974 as a Colonel.
Hal spent seven years in the financial industry with Home Federal S&L
in Gainesville, serving first as Senior VP then as Chief Financial Officer.
In 1981, Hal joined the faculty of North Georgia College as Assistant Professor.
He was promoted to Associate Professor and retired in 1991. The Board of
Regents of the University System of Georgia honored him as Associate Professor
Emeritus.
Hal and Carolyn were in the process of moving into a retirement community
in Gainesville in early April 2001. They had just closed on their home
when Hal went in for a routine blood check. While there, he collapsed and
died a few days later. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Lynda;
sons, Timothy, Brian and Bruce and twelve grandchildren.
Hal Terrell left a void in the lives of all who knew and loved him.
To help fill this void, family and friends related their remembrances of
a very fine man.
A-2 Companymate, Tom Huddelston, remembered: "West Point and the Army
got rid of some of Hal's Georgia accent but never his southern gentleman's
personality. He was cheerful, considerate and always pleasant. He was a
positive individual. He was one of the most comfortable men to be around
that I have known."
Fellow professor at North Georgia College, Larry Dennis, recalled: "Hal
had a keen sense of humor. Our entire faculty loved and respected him.
He was genteel; he was a man of integrity, a leader, and a team player
who always did his part and more. Above all, he was a dear friend. I will
miss his sage counsel. All my memories of Hal are good."
Long time friend and associate, Ned Burr (USMA Jun '43), wrote to Carolyn:
"I want to tell you again what a fine man and officer I thought he was.
He was the best officer I ever met in the United States Army."
Hal's three sons delivered eulogies at the funeral. Excerpts from these
tell much about Hal.
Son Timothy said: "There are six important features that defined my
father. They are bravery, loyalty, integrity, dedication, family and humanity
As I look back and realize he is now gone, I am filled with despair. But
when I look into the future and see how bright it is because of my father
and the leadership he provided, I am refortified."
Son, Brian, remembered his father: "My sister Lynda wanted me to share
one thing with you to honor my dad. She wanted to let you know that if
he were here, he would want each of you to: 'Sit up straight.' We have
a big void …we hurt deeply at the loss of a devoted husband, an incredible
father and giving grandfather. He is gone and we miss him greatly. I realize
it is a good thing to hurt because I pay tribute to his life everytime
I think about just anything as I honor him and pay tribute to him."
Son Bruce said: "I am thoroughly convinced my dad is the most honorable
man I have known. I just had the privilege of being his son."
His loving wife, Carolyn, related her thoughts: "He was my hero from
age 16. His unfailing love and respect for me and his love of country are
the things I remember and cherish."
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Hal wrote: As a man of high
moral character dedicated to the concepts of Duty, Honor, Country, a man
who loved his family and who tried to follow the Golden Rule throughout
his life."
It is fitting that the Class of 1946 add those few words that would
mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done, Hal; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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