Dr. Hilton Pack Terrell was born in Fort Worth, Texas on February 9, 1945, a son of Lake E. Terrell, Jr. and Alma Pack Terrell. He was raised in Sumter, South Carolina, where his father ran a local business and his mother taught high school English. Dr. Terrell received a B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. all from the University of South Carolina, and a M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina. He served three years in a residency program in family practice in Anderson, SC, practiced medicine for one year in St. George, SC, and then six years in Sumter, before relocating to Florence, SC, in 1985 to be on the faculty at McLeod Regional Medical Center in the family practice residency program. He retired in 2007, but remained active in teaching and writing. After his retirement from patient care, he stayed in the classroom, continuing to teach in the residency program and in a local Christian school.
Dr. Terrell was married to Marcia Slagle Terrell, with whom he raised three children, Timothy Terrell of Greenville, Amanda Smith of Greenville, and Eric Terrell of Florence. A lifelong resident of South Carolina, he spent much of his time boating in the marshes and waterways of the state, and acquired a broad knowledge of local flora and fauna. Among his avocations was the maintenance of an extraordinary collection of palms, citrus fruit, and other subtropical plants. Dr. Terrell’s knowledge reached far beyond biology, however, extending to a remarkable command of history, geography, economics, and theology.
Dr. Terrell died on February 2, 2009 after a brief illness. At that time, Dr. Terrell was the president-elect of the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization of medical professionals noted for their opposition to government intervention in medical care. Dr. Terrell was well-known for his careful thinking on a wide variety of topics, including medical ethics, counseling, psychology, and government policy, much of which appeared in print. For several years, he edited and published the Journal of Biblical Ethics in Medicine with his friend Dr. Ed Payne of Augusta, Georgia. He was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Florence, SC, where he was an elder and Sunday school teacher.
Dr. Terrell is remembered best for his wisdom, carried out faithfully in his family life, his support of local arts, and his activity in his church and in his vocation. He was always the scholar, eager to learn and willing to teach anyone who would listen. His life bore out the mandate of the prophet Micah: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
This blog is updated and maintained by Dr. Terrell's daughter.
Dr. Terrell had a powerful and blessed impact on two of my sons whom he taught at Christ College. His fidelity to Christ, above all else, will be their memory of him for years to come.
ReplyDeleteYour father was a mentor to me during my residency at McLeod Regional Medical Center. I was one of the Residents that helped rush him to the ER on the day he had the heart attack that ultimately took his life. My brief exposure to his thoughts, ideas, & beliefs have influenced me & how I approach the practice of medicine greatly. I am forever indebted to him for that & am trying my best to carry his torch. His life & teaching are a memories that will always stay with me.
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