Terry Followell of Fallon, Montana died June 22, 2016 at Holy Rosary Healthcare Center after a battle with rectal cancer.
He was born on January 22, 1956 in Greenville, Mississippi to Herbert L. Followell and Winnie Mae Killebrew Followell. He was the oldest of 6 children. Terry lived in Maine and Alaska while his father was in the Air Force with the family returning to Central Illinois to live. While growing up in Illinois Terry lived in Mason, Wheeler, Dietrich, Newton, Montrose, and Kinmundy, just to name a few places. Terry graduated from Newton High School in 1974. During his High School years, Terry participated in track and field. His specialty was pole vaulting. Terry married Debbie Kollman in 1976 settling in Altamont, Illinois. Terry and Debbie had three boys, Jeremy Followell, David Followell, and Thomas Followell. Terry and Debbie divorced in 1988. Terry worked for Fedder’s in Effingham, Illinois for 20 years doing factory work building appliances. He also worked as a gas station attendant, farm hand, janitor, confinement hog farming, fiberglass fabrication, and building log homes.
Terry’s dream was to come to Montana and work on a ranch. With encouragement from his daughter in law, Victoria, Terry moved to Montana in 2004. He lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Tammy and Buddy Boyt in Miles City, Montana. In Miles City, Terry worked for RJ Auto Sales and Recreation Lanes. Terry was a member of the Elk’s Lodge #537 while he lived in Miles City. In 2005, he met Cyndi Thornton and they moved back to her home in Fallon, Montana. Terry loved the life in Fallon and Eastern Montana. After moving to Fallon, Terry worked for BB&H feedlot in Terry, Montana for several years. After he left BB&H feedlot, he did day work for farmers and ranchers around the Fallon area. He worked for Dukart Farms, Fallon, Montana until September 2015 when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer.
Terry was known around the Fallon area as “the redneck”. He liked to drink coffee and beer with his friends and tell long stories. He was known to be able to fix anything with duct tape, wire, WD-40, electrical tape or anything else he could find laying around. In other words, he could “redneck” anything together when needed. He was happiest when he was farming or working with livestock. He loved his horses and dogs.
Terry was preceded in death by his Parents Herbert and Winnie Followell. He is survived by his sons Jeremy Followell and his wife Victoria Followell and their children Nate, Ariel and Bianca of Altamont, Illinois; David Followell and his wife Sara Followell and their children Rachael, Keyara, Alexie, and Zoey Followell of Altamont, Illinois; Thomas Followell, Effingham, Illinois; brother, Percy Followell, Altamont, Illinois; sisters Emma Marie Storzum and her husband Jack of Kaiser, Missouri; Helen Followell, Effingham, Illinois; Trudy Butcher and her husband Robert of Osage Beach, Missouri; Tammy Boyt and her husband Buddy Boyt of Miles City, Montana and numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
He is also survived by his longtime friend Cyndi Thornton of Fallon, Montana and her children and grandchildren: Luke Thornton and his wife Michelle and their children Alyssa, Connor, and Ayddan of Daegu, South Korea; Sarah Thornton and her son Dylyn of Duvall, Washington; and Ian Thornton, Seattle, Washington.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of life for Terry at the Fallon Park, Fallon, Montana on July 9th at 11:00 a.m. A meal will be held at the Fallon Park following the service.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ruth Peck says
Cyndi, we are so sorry about Terry’s passing. We hope you and all of his family take comfort in knowing that he is out of pain and smiling down on you with love. If there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Ruth & Richard
Delite says
Cindy,
Terry always had a good story to tell and a great way of telling it. I’ll never forget the time he tried to ride one of his horses and his “Lead” rein just wasn’t near long enough. He made us all laugh.
Delite
anne sheehy yegen says
Dear Cyndi,
Peter and I send our condolences on the loss of the Redneck. It’s a poor family that can’t afford one lady, my grandmother used to say. You are a real lady, cheerful, lovely, compassionate, tough. Terry was fortunate to have you, and your menagerie, in his life. May bands of angels, or maybe horses, welcome him into paradise.
Anne
Joe ferris says
I got to know terry when he worked at rj auto sales. It was always nice to see him and talk while I worked on the vehicles he brought to me for service. He will truly be missed. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers
Carole Carey, Ekalaka says
Dear Cyndi, My condolances to you in this time of loss. Prayers go with you. Carole Carey
Deb Bartholomew says
Cindy and Family:
I am sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He was truly a gem of a Redneck and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Terry will always be a Treasure in your hearts and never for forgotten. Treasure your memories as they will comfort you through the days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.