Terry Chappell

Terry A. Chappell passed from this life June 1, 2024 in Las Cruces, NM, with his companion by his side.

Terry was born March 30, 1941 in Elk City, Oklahoma to Alvin T. and Mona Luada Chappell. He had one brother Lenro Crafton (Cokey) Chappell. Terry spent his early years living on a farm in Oklahoma and graduated from Sweetwater High (Sweetwater, OK). In 1962 he earned his Associates Degree in Science from Sayre Junior College (Sayre, OK).

Terry had a love for the field of electronics and spent his career inspecting, repairing, adjusting, aligning and calibrating a variety of electronic test equipment for the Department of Defense. His career started at Tinker Air Force Base and then led him to White Sands Missile Range in 1963. He worked for Dynalectron Corporation (Land-Air Division), RCA Service Company, Lockheed Electronics Company and finally Civil Service where he spent 30+ years before retiring in 1997.

Terry met his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Georgetta E. Murrell Laird (Georgie), after moving from Oklahoma to New Mexico. They were married in Las Cruces, NM, November 23, 1974, and Terry instantly became a loving father to Georgetta’s son, Charles Laird, whom they cared for after a devastating automobile accident in 1983.

Terry never met a stranger and always had a story to share. You might find him boating, fishing, bowling, ‘tinkering’ in his shop, tending to his yard, visiting with neighbors, commanding his Jeep ‘push vehicle’ at the dirt track, or having coffee with his friends.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, brother, wife (Georgetta), son (Charles), nephew (Robert Chappell) and brother-in-law (Charles Murrell). He is survived by his companion (Janie Owens), her son (Russell & Gabby Owens), grandson (Nolan), granddaughter (Devin) and great-grandson (Damian); his nephews and nieces (Charles Chappell, Cheryl Elder, Cynthia Murrell, Sarah Murrell Arnold, David Murrell and Susan Murrell); a host of friends and his four-legged best friend ‘Tiny’. He was ‘Uncle Terry’ to the Fredell and Sue Burton family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Getz Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:00 am. Interment of cremains will immediately follow at the Masonic Cemetery. Please join us for a reception following the services (details will be provided at the Celebration of Life).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.