Obituary of Terrence Michael Orell

Most things with Terry started as a joke or funny anecdote. His smile and good humor lit up many a room and his contagious laugh brightened our hearts. Born January 21, 1945, in Eugene, Oregon to Helen Margaret Kirchoff and Bernard Leo Orell, Terry grew up with a work and play ethic, learned from his parents. As a young man he saved up money working in the sawmills of the Pacific Northwest to perfect pastimes such as skiing, water skiing and particularly golf. One of his lifetime mottos was "You work to earn money to do the things you love." Always a proponent of a good education, his studies led him to Santa Clara University where he earned a BA and an MBA. Santa Clara was also the place where he won the heart of his future wife, Margery Lemire. They were married in 1968 in a massive, frigid Montana snowstorm, but never again was the pair hampered by inclement weather or adversity. Terry served in the U.S. Army, General Adjutant Corps, as a Lieutenant during the Vietnam conflict where he earned the Army Commendation Medal. In the early 1970s he worked for Weyerhaeuser Company in Seattle living in an idyllic cottage on Three Tree Point, with his wife and young children—Molly and Michael. His ambition to lead a different life brought him and his young family to Charlotte in 1977 where he would eventually become the Charlotte Chamber Executive VP of Economic Development, a job he described as the best job he ever had because Charlotte sold itself. He helped put Charlotte on the map in the 1980s and 1990s. His family grew to three children as daughter, Katy, kept Terry busy once again with a small child. Terry believed in living a life led by the Golden Rule and his own personal rules as well, including: "Take good care of your car and it will take care of you;" "If you hold your mouth just right, the fish will bite;" "Always, always tell the truth;" "Management is not a power job, it is a coaching job;" "We are all teachers;" "Don't cheat at golf because you might be tempted to cheat at something else;" "All Oreos are bite-sized;" and finally "The secret to a good Blizzard is an extra shot of hot fudge." Social justice, respect for others and honesty as well as a fun loving spirit were characteristics he passed on to his children. Terry was a one-of-a-kind, genuine-brand father, husband, brother, son, uncle and friend. He was a role model for those lucky enough to know him. He will be dearly missed but lives in our hearts and memories especially during a good laugh. His father, mother and his sister, Mary Kay Orell Wollmuth, predeceased Terry. His wife, Margery and his three children and their families survive him: Molly, Michael, Catie Clare and Maggie Rose Crehan of San Francisco; Michael, Kelly, Noah Melvin, Oliver Melvin, John, Grant and Leo Orell of Charlotte; Katy, Francois, Kilian and Elliot Nigon of Annecy, France. He is also survived by a loving, extended family of Orell, Wollmuth and Lemire in-laws, nieces and nephews with whom he shared advice, laughter, travel, ice cream and golf. His golfing foursomes, cycling pals and the Thursday morning breakfast crew who supported and loved him no matter what also survive him. In lieu of flowers, Terry would rather that you volunteer with the Scouts, coach a kid's team, time at a swim meet or listen to a child read. Hit 'em straight, Pops. A Rosary Vigil will be held on Tuesday, January 2 at 7:00pm in the Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, January 3 at 11:00am in the main sanctuary of St. Vincent de Paul. A reception following the mass will be held at the Pavilion at Quail Hollow Country Club, 3700 Glen Eagles Road, Charlotte. The interment will be held Thursday, January 4 at 11:00 at the Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. Arrangements in care of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service. Please share online condolences @ www.hankinsandwhittington.com