Frank H Terrell, Jr.

It is with great sadness that the Terrell family announces Frank Hixson Terrell, Jr. died peacefully Thursday, June 12 at home with his wife, Sandra Sloan Terrell.

Born on December 5, 1933, in Kansas City, Frank was a lifelong resident of this city. An Eagle Scout, he attended Pembroke Country Day School and Kansas University, where he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56, where he trained as a sharpshooter. After college, he worked in New York, traveled Europe, and then returned to Kansas City where he opened a Coffee Plus franchise in 1964.

He met his wife, Sandy, when she was a Belle of the American Royal in the fall of 1964 and they married on December 21, 1965 (as he liked to say, “the longest night of the year") and were together for just short of 60 years.

After selling Coffee Plus, Frank entered the world of real estate, joined later by Sandy. He has his own unique approach to selling houses, which mirrored his approach to just about anything. He listened intently to what people wanted, never rushed the process, and eventually found people the home of their dreams - providing humor, counseling, and often a little prayer along the way. He pursued real estate into his 80s and knew every street in Kansas City by heart, priding himself on taking driving routes that avoided traffic lights. He was a former member of the Plaza Sunrise Optimist Club, the Downtown Rotary Club, and the Kansas City Country Club.

Known as “Terry” by his school friends and “Pop” by his grandchildren, Frank was a dedicated and enthusiastic family man. Though he never played organized soccer, he coached his children’s teams in the Brookside Soccer league, often wearing overalls and work boots, guided by the book “Soccer for Dummies.” He was well aware of his own soccer capabilities and was fond of saying “Do as I say not as I do.” Frank was a lifelong fan of his family’s undertakings and was often seen at the sidelines and in the audiences for his children’s and grandchildren’s various athletic and artistic events.

Frank loved fishing, the Royals, the Jayhawks, the Chiefs and playing wiffle ball–or any kind of ball–in the front yard of his Crestwood home. He made learning the “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” song a rite of passage for his descendants. He gardened optimistically, with mixed results, and had a particular fondness for his annual Okra crop. He was an amazing dancer - especially when dancing with Sandy, had an unparalleled memory for song lyrics and jingles, and kept fond mementos of his hole-in-one on the Kansas City Country Club’s par 3 second hole and a 5 lbs 8 oz bass caught in “Frank Brandt’s fishing hole.” He was a lover of the underdog, which helped when it came to the Royals, and shared his love, optimism, faith, and generosity with his family and friends from all walks of life.

From a young age, Frank had a twinkle in his eye. One childhood nickname assigned by a close family friend was “Terrible Terry.” His mischievousness developed into a lighthearted and often goofy approach to life. A favorite family memory is of Frank enlivening family milestone events by performing poems he’d written for the occasion - typically sung to the tune of “Blue-Eyed Sally”.

Faith was a central focus of his life. He attended Bible College at Full Faith Church of Love from 1970-72, helped to found His Men bookstore, served on the vestry at St. Andrew’s Church, and was Chairman of the Board for the Coalition against Pornography. He was a member of the Board for the downtown YMCA and helped to found the Ernie Mehl Youth Baseball Program. Frank’s deep and profound faith was a part of his daily life. He often extended a hand to those in need, with advice, prayer, financial support, or by offering a small job or help in finding a job to those who most needed it. He was a friend and confidant to many.

Frank is survived by his wife, Sandy, his three children and seven grandchildren: Paige Steinman, her husband Josh, and their children Sloan, Edison, and Louise; Starr Terrell and her children Beatrix and Frank; and Whitney Terrell and his children, Miles and Morrison. He is also survived by his cousin Marianne MacCurdy; brother-in-law Rick Sloan, married to Diane; and brother-in-law Charlie Sloan. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Hixson Terrell and Lorette Chapman Terrell, and his sisters Jeannette Nichols and Joan Hardy.

The family is endlessly grateful for the loving care that Kono Garba, Eli Kerek and Kenneth Renninger with MetroCareStaffing LLC provided for Frank in his final months.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, July 15 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64113 at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation in Frank’s name to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Luke’s Home Care and Hospice, or a charity of your choice.