Ken Terrell

Kenneth Wayne Terrell was born in Boise, Idaho, on March 13, 1957, to Lloyd Wayne Terrell and Verlain Charon Terrell. Ken attended elementary school at Boise Valley Adventist School and high school at Gem State Adventist Academy.
Ken loved sports and learned to water ski as a teenager. Many evenings were spent at Lucky Peak with Wayne pulling him behind the boat. During high school, he played basketball and worked at Camp Ida Haven in McCall for several summers, driving the ski boat and passing on his water skiing talents.
Multiple Sclerosis was a part of Ken’s story since he was diagnosed as a collage freshman. Even after his diagnosis, he went on many adventures. Scuba diving was one of the activities he looked forward to the most, and he made many scuba trips with his college friends. On one trip off the Washington coast, he felt a tap on the shoulder. When he turned to look, there was a large octopus looking back at him. Ken always said he didn’t know which one of them was more scared, him or the octopus.
While attending Walla Walla college, Ken met Barbara Strutz. After graduating in 1979, they married and came home to Boise and welcomed two children to their family, Tristi Jo and Nicolas Wayne.
When their marriage ended, Ken took on the role of single dad for several years, enjoying adventures with the kids. From bike riding, swimming at the Court House athletic club, and taking them along to work with the promise of a Slurpee at the corner 7-11 on the way back to the shop. In 1990, he met JoAnne Cantrell and married her on October 4, 1992. They spent 33 years happy years together.
Since JoAnne was a travel agent, they could travel extensively, visiting Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Besides traveling, Ken enjoyed gardening and grew beautiful plants and flowers. When one rose bed just wasn’t enough, he put in another one, always being teased that he was turning the yard into a park, so he wouldn’t have to mow it anymore! He also enjoyed barbequing and baking. He was famous for his Belgian waffles that the family enjoyed regularly and especially for the family brunch on Mother’s Day every year.
Ken was born into a family of plumbers and worked in the family business at Terrell Plumbing. After the death of his father Wayne, he took on the ownership and management responsibilities of the company. His favorite part of the work day was to go to lunch with clients, contractors, builders, and friends until his MS forced him to give up the business. Being with people was always his favorite.
Ken had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, performing with a men’s trio, church choirs, at weddings, and even a quick run in the musical, Funny Girl. As his disease progressed, he was no longer able to sing but took up guitar playing. He spent years perfecting a few songs, seemingly never to tire of them, even when others did! He had a beautiful baby Taylor guitar that he kept with him until the end.
As a Papa and Grandpa, he loved to play! He always met his grandchildren on their level and brought them up to his. He rewarded their curiosity with rides on his scooter and “helping” him play the guitar. He always felt that any kid should be the center of attention!
Even with his health problems, Ken always remained cheerful and upbeat. He always wanted to share his smile and happiness with everyone that he interacted with. He was an eternal optimist, always looking for the good in everything. He fought a good fight and gave those around him a lot of love and memories. His family takes great comfort in that he is no longer suffering but resting in Jesus. They look forward to seeing him again in perfect health.
Ken is survived by his wife JoAnne, son Nicolas, daughter Tristi Hendrick (JD), granddaughters Natalia, Makena, and Tessa, stepson Patrick Cantrell, grandchildren Taylor, Kobe, Kristin, and Max, stepdaughter Michelle Sutton (Bill), and grandsons Daniel and Lucas. He is also survived by his sisters Christine Hansen and Charon Castanon, as well as nieces, aunts, uncles, and cousins.