James "Jim" Blair Terhune's Obituary
James “Jim” Blair Terhune, Jr., 82, passed away on December 3, 2021, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, he grew up in Perryton, Texas, and other Texas towns while his father and mother moved to support the military during and after World War II. His youth was spent in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he played football and basketball at Fayetteville High School. After graduating high school, he entered college and also served our country in the United States Army. He married Phyllis Campbell in 1961 and then completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas. He worked in business in Texas, Tennessee, and Oregon before returning to Arkansas to earn his Master of Business Administration degree. In 1976, he and Phyllis relocated to Batesville, Arkansas, a town that they loved and did not leave until very recent health issues. He taught at Arkansas College (now Lyon College) for almost a decade and during that time, received multiple teaching awards. He was most proud of his students in all that they did. He was a faithful member of the Batesville Kiwanis Club and attended Friday meetings with his best friend of over 40 years, Dr. Veryl Board. He relocated in February of this year to Nashville, Tennessee, to live with his daughter after suffering a stroke. In the days prior to his passing, he visited dear friends and relatives in Arkansas en route to celebrate the marriage of his granddaughter near Dallas, Texas. As such, he left the world after spending one last day in Batesville, where it happened to be sunny and 75 degrees. A story-teller extraordinaire, he was fascinated by history and life and loved sharing with anyone who would listen. His grandchildren, who he loved dearly, were often the subjects of his favorite stories. He loved reading and learning, and worked a daily crossword puzzle up until his stroke. His two favorite sports teams were the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Batesville Pioneers, particularly the Lady Pioneer basketball team, both of which he watched and followed until he was no longer able. Despite health issues, some of Jim’s best years were his last years when he was able to see, experience, and participate fully in the family he and Phyllis created. He was preceded in death by Phyllis in July 2021, and by his brother, Richard, in 2019. He is survived by his brother Howard Terhune of Copperas Cove, Texas, three children, including Keith and Shelly Terhune of Crosby, Texas, Kyla Terhune and Rick Keuler of Nashville, Tennessee, and Bevin; a beloved niece Meagan Breaux, who was like a daughter, and ten grandchildren, including Julie Terhune of Los Angeles, granddaughter Christie Gearner and her husband Tyson of Oklahoma City, and Tate, Amelia, and Matthias Keuler of Nashville, Tennessee. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 9, at Moore’s Chapel, followed by a graveside service with military funeral honors at Fayetteville National Cemetery, both in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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