Rufus was, above all, a devoted family man. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and nothing brought him greater happiness than spending time with the people he loved.
Clever, funny and endlessly curious, Rufus could fix almost anything and was always willing to do so for anyone who asked. He loved inventing things—some practical and some a little kooky—and entertaining friends and family with his witty storytelling, many of which were true. He was a wonderful cook who delighted in feeding a houseful of family and friends.
Rufus loved nature, particularly birds, and was happiest outdoors. One of his favorite trips was to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, where he delighted in seeing animals in the wild. At Lake Oconee, he loved riding his tractor, boating, fishing, riding his new electric bike along the trails and simply enjoying the place that brought him so much happiness. He also took great pleasure in teaching his Belgian Malinois, Henry Sr. and Henry Jr., tricks. But of all the things Rufus enjoyed, his favorite was simply being with his family.
Rufus was a man of deep Christian faith, which remained an important part of his life and the way he loved and cared for his family and others.
Rufus was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Ondy Terrill and Mary Jo Cantrell Terrill; and his sisters, Faye Cochran, Brenda Johnson and Opal Hutcheson.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Oberg Terrill; his son, John Ondy Terrill, and daughter, MaryJo Marguerite Dorse and her husband, Kevin Dorse; his grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Dorse, Katherine Elise Dorse, John “Jack” Michael Terrill and Daniel McDonald Terrill; his step-grandchildren, Zoe Dorse and Trinity Dorse; his sister, Alma Jo Molmer; and his sister-in-law, Mary Oberg Stallings of Arlington, Texas. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as countless friends whose lives were made richer—and very often more entertaining—by knowing him.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at H.M. Patterson & Son–Oglethorpe Hill Chapel in Brookhaven, with the Rosary immediately following at 7:00 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, with a reception immediately following in Kenny Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rufus’s memory, and in honor of his beloved daughter, MaryJo, to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Georgia Chapter, 1277 Lenox Park Boulevard NE, Suite 430, Brookhaven, Georgia 30319.
A good man, a loving husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and a loyal friend, Rufus will be deeply missed by the many people who loved him.
