James Terpo

age 82, of Hoover, left this earth behind for eternal peace with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 6, 2009. Rev. Terpo was born in the coal mining community of Piper, AL (Bibb Co.), on February 13, 1927 to John and Angeline Terpo. He served in the US Army during WWII and was stationed in Bermuda. Upon his discharge, he graduated from West Blocton High School in 1947. He felt God's call on his life and surrendered to preach, being licensed in 1951 and ordained in 1952, both at Piper Baptist Church. While serving as a bi-vocational pastor, Rev. Terpo worked at Hayes International Aircraft in Birmingham as a supervisor. Being led into full time pastoral service, Rev. Terpo moved to the Dothan area in 1957 to pursue his education. He graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graysville, FL in 1960 and William Carey College, Hattiesburg, MS in 1962. Rev. Terpo completed special studies at New Orleans and Southern Seminaries. Rev. Terpo faithfully served the following churches as pastor: Bibbville (Woodstock, AL), Wegra (Preco, AL), Cahaba Valley and Brierfield (Brierfield, AL), Pilgrim's Rest- West (Dothan, AL), First Baptist (Richton, MS), Calvary (Greenwood, MS), Canaan (Bessemer, AL), and West Highland (Bessemer, AL). He served as director of missions for Panola Association (Batesville, MS) and Bessemer Baptist Association (Bessemer, AL). Rev. Terpo served on the Executive Committee of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, was Director/Teacher of the Howard Extension (Samford University) in Bessemer and spoke in schools for Rev. Dan Ireland's ALCAP organization. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lonnie, Bill, Tommy, Charles; and a sister, Rosa. He is survived by his loving and faithful helpmate of nearly 57 years, Barbara Wynona Campbell Terpo; two sons, James Darrell (Jeanne) and Marshall Duane (Tracy); a grandson, John David Terpo; a sister, Angeline "Doll" Milling; a beloved puppy, Shorty; several nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of Christian brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 from 5-7 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Highway 150, Hoover. Funeral service will held Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 11 AM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. James Ruffin, Dr. Randy Atkinson, and Rev. Tony Barber officiating. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. The text of Rev. Terpo's last sermon will be a comfort to those who wait to meet him in heaven; I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Phillipians 1:3