Terry ''TJ'' John Slagle's Obituary
Terry John “TJ” Slagle, 50, walked through the gates of Heaven on May 12, 2015 at 10:55 p.m. at the Willard Walker Hospice Home after a four year battle with mantle cell lymphoma. Terry was surrounded by his family.
Terry was born on October 1, 1964 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of four children, and the second son born to Nancy Marie Helman and Harold Weigle Slagle (deceased). As a young child Terry was shy, smart, and inquisitive. He always asked questions and wanted to learn about life.
Terry graduated high school in 1982 from Cape Coral High School in Lee County, Florida. He graduated 7th in class and was in the National Honor Society. A die-hard Gators fan, he graduated from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Terry loved animals and loved working in the agriculture industry with his career spanning from 1987 -2014. In 2001 Terry began working for Cargill and relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2003. At Cargill Terry continued to work in breeder and hatchery operations and directed four of Cargill’s breeder/hatchery locations. Through his work over the years he was able to help feed millions of people.
His co-workers describe Terry as being a great teacher, able to help people understand and relate to new or complicated information. He was well-known at work for his light-hearted pranks, puns, and silly jokes. He was considerate of his employees, a great boss, coworker, and friend.
Terry was a loving, thoughtful, and considerate man, who took the time to remember the little things that people liked and cared about by passing along helpful information or by getting you the perfect gift.
Terry had many interests and hobbies. From running the Springdale weather station from his house, building model train displays, fishing at Beaver Lake with friends, and talking to people across the world via his Ham radio. He cherished spending time with his friends and family, enjoyed planning and attending family reunions.
In 2011, he began his battle with mantle cell lymphoma. With a smile, a joke, witty encouragement, and unshakeable perseverance, Terry remained positive during his chemotherapy, radiation, and stem-cell transplant. Terry was the number one cheerleader for the mantel cell lymphoma Facebook group. He was an inspiration to many with his positive attitude and outlook on life to support people all over the world.
Terry is survived by his mother Nancy Slagle, Pearland, TX; oldest brother Gary Slagle and nephews Christopher Slagle and Timothy Slagle, Chicago, IL; his oldest sister Cheryl and brother-in-law Donald, Pearland, TX, nephew Ryan Patterson and niece Brittany Patterson; his sister Luann, Pearland, TX; his beloved companion Brenda Marks, and her children Justin, and Jacob, Fayetteville, AR; his friends and many amazing coworkers who worked with him at Cargill.
A memorial service will be held at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville AR. A gathering of family & friends will be held from 10:30am to 11:30am on Friday, May 15th and a memorial service beginning at 11:30am. Lunch will be provided at Sonora Baptist Church immediately following the service, located at 17330 E. Highway 412, Springdale., AR, 72764
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville - specify donation is for recliners for family caregivers in honor of Terry.
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