Terry Lee Grizzle

Terry Lee Grizzle was born on March 20, 1950, in Fort Smith Arkansas to his parents James Lee and June Grizzle. Terry was the oldest of four children. Terry grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas and attended Southside High School where he graduated with the class of 1968. Terry also attended Westark Community College and received an Associate of Applied Science degree and an Associate of Arts degree. Terry lived in Poteau, OK where he took pride in his home his pine trees and raised his Beagle hunting dogs. Terry was a very proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and he instilled this pride in his children and his grandchildren.

Following his graduation from High school Terry enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1969 and completed Basic Training at Fort Polk Louisiana. Terry served his country proudly during the Vietnam War era MOS Military Police and was deployed to Korea. In 1972 Terry transitioned to the United States Army Reserves and was Honorably discharged in 1975. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal, Expert (Rifle M-14) Expert (Rifle M-16) Expert (Pistol .45 Cal.) and the Good Conduct Medal.

Following his discharge from the Army Terry started his lifelong career in Law Enforcement with the Fort Smith Police Department in August of 1972. While there he worked up from a Patrol Officer to a Narcotics Detective. Terry also worked as an Undercover Narcotics officer during his time with the Fort Smith Police Department and was also one of the officers on the first Fort Smith Police Department SWAT team. The Fort Smith Police Department is where he met three of his closest friends and brothers, Glenn Yates, Don

Hunt and Bob Ross. Terry retired from Fort Smith Police Department in 1997. Following his retirement Terry continued to serve the Fort Smith community as a Security Guard at St. Edwards Hospital. In 2008 Terry completed The United States Marshals Service Training Academy and worked at the Western District of Arkansas Federal Courthouse in Fort Smith. Terry received many accommodations, certifications and awards during his 45 years of service.

“Sgt. Terry Grizzle, for extraordinary and conspicuous gallantry in the performance of duty over the course of many years often at great personal risk, in an unrelenting campaign to eradicate crime and protect the public and in view of the fact that this devotion to duty has spanned over twenty years is hereby found most deserving of the Distinguished Service Award” Presented by Ron Fields, Prosecuting Attorney of the Twelfth Judicial District in the State of Arkansas

Terry loved his family his friends his work and if you knew Terry you knew how much he loved hunting and his hunting cabin. To say he loved hunting and being in the woods at his beloved cabin or in Colorado on hunting trips may not even come close to how much he really loved it. Deer, turkey, squirrels, and rabbits were just a few on the list, if it had a hunting season it was being hunted.

Terry had a special way of making everyone feel welcomed loved and protected when he was around, and he had a special way with words and phrases that always caught your attention. Just an example is when something was hard to do, he would say it was “like wrestling an alligator in a phone booth” or “they don’t know if they’re washin’ or hangin’ out”.

Terry was a kind man with a strong but gentle soul and he took his role as Son, brother, Dad, Police Officer and friend very seriously. If you needed him, you knew you could call him, on his flip phone, and he would be there for you or he would just offer some good advice along with some if his special Terry humor. He always started his calls with “hey sis you doing ok?” or “hey Buddy what ya doin?” and every call ended with “ok buddy, I love ya’ll”.

Although Terry was officially retired, he remained on watch and continued to be ready at any time to serve and to protect his family, friends and community. Terry will be missed and will never be forgotten.

End of watch (EOW) October 15, 2024 in Shady Point OK.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents James and June Grizzle and his sister Connie Sue Thayer and longtime Law Enforcement partner and friend Bob Ross.

Terry leaves behind his brother Mike Grizzle and his sister Cheryl Grizzle of Fort Smith AR. His five children Daughter Ashley Grizzle of Fort Smith, AR Son Christopher Wade Grizzle and wife Robin Grizzle of Vian Ok, Son Colby Grizzle of Poteau Ok, Daughter Chelsea Grizzle of Fort Smith, AR and Son Boady Grizzle of Bismark, AR. His four grandsons Mason Grizzle, Jaxon Grizzle, Dagan C. Grizzle and Kaius Edwards. He also leaves his Law enforcement partner longtime friend and brother Don Hunt.

“If you see me coming look for me”-Terry Grizzle

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 - 7 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. Memorial graveside service will be 10:00 AM Friday, October 25, 2024, at Fort Smith National Cemetery.