Terry Clay Hargrove, age 68, of Chincoteague Island, Virginia, passed peacefully on March, 5, 2024, after a lengthy illness at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, Oanacock, Virginia. He was born the fourth child of Ernest Elmore Hargrove and Katherine Marie Higgins Hargrove on July 10, 1955, in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother, David Doyle Hargrove.
Terry was a 1973 graduate of Marshall County High School in Lewisburg, Tennessee where he served as Class President. He also was a member of the Marshall County High Tigers football team. Football was an exciting time for Terry. He, along with Ronnie Dalton, Bill Weaver and Robert Biggers, was chosen by their fellow teammates as co-captains of the team. In fact, this team went on to play in the Butter Bowl in Pulaski that year, a feat they were all very proud of. After high school he joined the navy. Upon discharge, he attended Columbia State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University where he majored in English and Physical Education. He taught in several school systems over the years. He introduced the love of reading and learning to many students. Here’s a quote from a former student: “I loved listening to his stories and his sense of humor. He always had such enthusiasm in his teaching.” He was also an avid fisherman, spending many hours with his special friend, Steve Rash, on local lakes and ponds trying to catch that ole December bass, the one that got away. He loved writing, having published two books, “A Tennessean Lost in Connecticut” and “Swimming with the Hargroves: Shipwrecks on the Gold Coast Book 1”, “Buddy the Blue Footed Boobie”, and “The Very Odd Substitute Explains the Trojan War.”
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Nancy Hooper Hargrove; one daughter, Sally Katherine (Monica) Hargrove Thyen of Lewisburg; one son, Joseph Lance Hargrove of Chincoteague Island, Virginia; three granddaughters, Avah, Avayah, and Layla; sisters, Connie Hargrove Pollock (Ronnie), Donna Hargrove Lee, and Jan Hargrove (Harold) all of Lewisburg; one brother, Glenn Hargrove (Cathey) of Virginia. Multiple nieces and nephews also survive.
Arrangements in Virginia are being handled by Fox Funeral Home on Chincoteague Island. A celebration of life service will be held locally in Lewisburg at a later date. Memorials in Terry’s honor can be made to Marshall County Memorial Library, Tiger Quarterback Club of Lewisburg, or any other charity of your choice.
