Terril (Terry) Ellis Daniels

Terril Ellis “Terry” Daniels

June 30, 1947 – October 25, 2023

Terril Ellis “Terry” Daniels passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, in Nucla, Colorado, at the age of 76.

Terry was the younger son of Leonard A. “Pat” Daniels and Elaine Irene Miller Daniels.  He was born in Nucla and lived there with his family until 1957, when they moved to Durango, Colorado, for seven years.  They later moved to Shiprock, New Mexico, and Terry graduated from Kirtland (NM) High School in 1965.

After a year of studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, first at Great Lakes (Chicago, Illinois), where he sang with the Navy Blue Jackets.  He served on the USS Elkhorn (AOG-7) as an electronics technician, moving in and out of Vietnam for three and one-half years.  Following early release from active duty, Terry transferred to the Naval Reserve, and was honorably discharged in January 1973.

Following a short residency in Pearisburg, Virginia, where he took additional college classes, he moved to Denver, Colorado, graduating from Metropolitan State College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering.  Terry went to work for Colorado-Ute Electric Association (CUEA), first in Craig, Colorado, and then in Nucla, where he took the lead over the controls system as supervising technician.  CUEA was taken over by Tri-State G&T, where he retired in 2011.  He had served not only professionally, but as the emcee over the company’s Christmas parties, much to the entertainment of everyone.

Terry married Christine in May 1988, happily “inheriting” two sons, Timothy and Jeremy.  They celebrated their 35^th anniversary with family in Nevada this year.  That was one of the things Terry loved to do – be with family.  He also loved music, both playing and singing, and had a great bass voice.  Terry sang in the Community Choir for more than thirty years.

Other interests included photography – he was always the guy behind the camera; traveling – especially driving; and cars – especially some of the more exotic of the species, like his de Tomaso Pantera.  Terry was a member of POCA (Pantera Owners Club of America) and an honorary member of the Colorado Pantera Club; Moose International, and a Lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He served as Quartermaster of Post #9058 for many years and will be sorely missed.

Terry leaves behind his loving wife Chris; sons Tim (Caroline) Minick of Honolulu HI, and Jeremy Minick of Longmont CO; granddaughters Jessie (Kalama) Mitchell of Henderson NV, Alyssa (Colby) Best Walter of Windsor CO, Angela Minick of Los Angeles CA, Preslee Minick of Fort Collins CO; grandson Rylan Minick of Wellington CO; two great-grandchildren, Milo and Daisy Mitchell of Henderson; nephew Todd Daniels of Yulee FL. He also is survived by many loving family members, including two sisters-in-law, cousins, and a whole passel of friends, especially his Coffee Klatch buddies.  He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dennis.

Services will be held at San Miguel Basin Christian Fellowship (Redvale Church) in Redvale CO on November 11, 2023, at 11 a.m.  A meal will follow at the Nucla Seniors Meal Site.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VFW Post #9058, PO Box 423, Nucla CO 81424, or Nucla-Naturita Seniors, PO Box 232, Nucla 81424. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory of Montrose is assisting the family. (970)249-2121.