James Esker Terry, “Jr.”, age 66, of Oneida, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at the Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida.  Junior was born April 22, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, and was the son of Gertrude Marcum Terry of Oneida, and the late James Esker “Eck” Terry. 

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 44 years, Katherine “Kat” Terry, whom he married at the Pine Creek United Baptist Church; was a father to two loving sons, Jared Terry of Oneida, and Justin Terry (wife Marlainna) of Whitley City, Kentucky; was a devoted papaw to five grandchildren who meant the world to him: Hailey Kendall and Katherine and Ezra Terry of Oneida, and Hughston and Deegun Terry of Whitley City, Kentucky; brother and sisters:  Danny Ray “DT” Terry, Linda (Terry) Malone and husband Charlie of Knoxville, Debbie (Terry) Anderson and husband Al, Lisa (Terry) Carson and husband Benny, all of Oneida; sister-in-law Donna (Blevins) Stephens and husband Angie; and brother-in-law Bobby Blevins and wife Pam, all of Oneida. He was an admired uncle by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Two life-long special friends were Donnie Burke and Jerry Marcum, and Junior was someone who had made many friends throughout his lifetime.

In addition to being preceded in death by his father, he is also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Lorene (Carson) Blevins, and brother-in-law Billy Joe Blevins.

Most of Junior’s young life was spent growing up on the farm at his grandparents (Ezra and Lena Marcum) where he loved to farm and take care of the animals, and continued to run the farm, even on his last day on this earth. Throughout the years, he learned many skills dealing with livestock, equipment, and the land itself, and loved horseback riding with friends and family. He was named Farmer of the Year in 1995. He often helped other friends and families maintain their fields and gardens, as well as care of their livestock when needed.

Junior has been a member of Pine Creek United Baptist Church for 53 years and has served as a Deacon and Treasurer for many years. He served on several advisory boards for many years including the Farm Bureau Board, Scott-Morgan Farmer’s Cooperative Board, and the Scott Water and Conservation Board. He also owned his own company, Terry Insulation, and drove a school bus for twenty-two years, bus #02-3. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be sadly missed by his Pine Creek Church family, Burchfield School work family, the farming community, and all of those who were fortunate to have known him along the way, as he never met a stranger. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, kindness, and most importantly his love.

Friends may visit with the Terry family on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 4 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 8 p.m. at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Oneida with Bro. Keith Marcum officiating. Graveside service will be conducted on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Marcum-Kidd Cemetery in Oneida. Serving as pallbearers are Jared Terry, Justin Terry, Danny Ray (DT) Terry, Donnie Burke, Jerry Marcum, and Robbie Terry. Honorary pallbearers are Al Anderson, Benny Carson, Charlie Malone, Coy Kidd, Jacob Burke, and Randy Shelton.

In-lieu-of flowers the family requests donations be made to:
The Marcum-Kidd Cemetery
c\o Nikki Shepard
18371 Alberta Street
Oneida, Tennessee 37841

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of James Esker Terry, “Jr.”

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