Arnett Melvin Terrill

Arnett Melvin Terrill died of natural causes at the age of 95. A resident of Cape Coral, he passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Born in Norwich, Iowa, he was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Virgie Terrill and his brother Arnold Terrill.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years Patricia B. (Tabor) Terrill, their six children Kathy (Chuck) Young of Estero, FL, Mike (Laura) Terrill of Indianapolis, IN, Joy (Ralph) Guenzler of Ft. Myers, Chuck (Mary Jane) Terrill of St. Louis, MO, Darlene (Steve) Kennedy of Cape Coral, and Dennis (Kaaren Chinello) Terrill of Rohnert Park, CA, ten grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren as well as 8 great- great-grandchildren. 

He was known as Arnie to his friends and by AM when in trouble at home. A child of the great depression, he knew the value of hard work and service. He enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II as a rear gunner where he was recognized for shooting down two kamikaze pilots. He wore his World War II cap with pride at home and when out and appreciated the kind words of strangers as they would thank him for his service or surprise him with a free meal. Out of the military, he worked hard, owning and operating a sawmill before working as a boiler operator for St. Louis County Hospital. After retirement he returned to a country lifestyle complete with gardening and goats. Then, wanderlust saw him traveling the United States and living in an RV with his wife for several months before settling in Fort Myers, FL where he attended McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. Never idle, he was always in search of the next project where he could fashion a creative solution to a real or perceived problem. He took great pride in the man caves he created in each of his Florida homes giving him the perfect space for watching Cardinal baseball. Active as long as possible he truly enjoyed his daily trip via golf cart to Walmart in search of a new treasure, conversation, coffee, or his own special food. Fiercely loyal to and proud of his family, he spent time with them fishing, hunting and camping instilling in them his values of hard work, kindness and empathy. He loved family get togethers and especially enjoyed any that involved food requested by him and prepared by others.

Family and friends met in Fort Myers to celebrate significant wedding anniversary milestones. Year 60 saw Pat and Arnett dancing with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, year 65 a dancing Santa Claus and in year 70 a special and memorable toast from his wife.

Special thanks to Hope Hospice, the Veterans Administration and the Fort Myers Chapter of the American Red Cross who supported his care in Darlene and Steve’s home until the day of his death. In the words of Willie Nelson whose music Arnett loved, he is now “On the road again, like a band of gypsies we go down the highway, we're the best of friends, insisting that the world keep turning our way, and our way is on the road again”.

Arnett will be forever remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Committal Services with Military Honors will be held 11:30 AM Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 23 at Mullins Memorial, 1056 NE 7^th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33909. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, 7051 Cypress Terrace, Suite 110, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.