Lawrence "Terry" Beville, Jr's Obituary
Lawrence Terry Beville, Jr.
April 29, 1945 – December 30, 2024
Lawrence Terry Beville, Jr. walked into eternal life to meet his Lord and Savior on December 30th, 2024. He was born on April 29th, 1945, in Louisville, Kentucky to Lawrence Terry Beville, Sr. and Helen Burks Beville. At the age of two his family moved to Tampa.
Terry graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1963, where he was on the baseball, golf and football teams, and played the trumpet in the marching band. He attended Mercer University for his freshman year where, in addition to his academic accomplishments, he was the university’s ping-pong champion! He returned to Tampa and was appointed Youth and Recreation Director at Seminole Heights Baptist Church, his home church. One of his most treasured experiences was leading the students’ activities and retreats, and most importantly, leading the students to Christ. He continued to love serving the Lord his whole life.
In 1967, he and Jean were married and moved to Tallahassee for her last year of college. While there, Terry was the recreation and Youth minister at East Hill Baptist church. They returned to Tampa where he attended USF and graduated with a degree in accounting. Shortly after graduating, Terry passed the CPA exam and soon opened his own CPA firm in Tampa. Little did he know when he took on a small rent-to-own client in those early years that it would introduce him to an industry where he would lead and serve for four decades. He became an integral part of the rent-to-own industry and contributed to its growth in many capacities. He was routinely recognized as one of the industry’s invaluable leaders and served in several positions including multi-term board member and/or elected officer for national associations, state association president for 8 years, advocate for legislative involvement, and champion of disaster relief funding for RTO employees. He received many awards and accolades, but it was the friends he made along the way that he considered his greatest achievement in this industry.
Terry and Jean joined First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace (now Mission Hill Church) in 1971 and have been faithful members for 53 years, having watched their daughters, granddaughter and son-in-law be baptized there. Terry has been a youth and Sunday School teacher, youth advisor and mentor, recreation director and coach, deacon, church treasurer and chairman of multiple committees, always available to lend his expertise for the good of the church and to honor God in all that he did. Aside from church and work activities, Terry enjoyed following the FSU and USF sports programs. He was the past president of the USF athletic boosters and was on the boards of the Alumni Association and President’s Council. He also enjoyed family vacations and international travel adventures, watching his granddaughter Ava play volleyball, taking the family dogs on walks, and cheering on Tampa Bay sports teams. His favorite time was always family time, and he considered it the greatest blessing to have his girls, son-in-law, and granddaughter all close by - able to see him every day and share every day with him. His family was his greatest pride and joy.
Terry is survived by Jean, his devoted wife of 57 years; his beloved daughter Suzanne; his beloved daughter Sharon Tomaszewski (Jim) and his cherished granddaughter Ava; and many loving family members. He was predeceased by his parents and his older brothers, Bill and Jack. He was truly the light that guided his family and touched so many others with his kindness, generosity, wisdom and immeasurable love. Terry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and friend: The best of the best. He loved us well and will always live on in our hearts.
Terry was laid to rest in a private graveside service. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 1:00pm at Mission Hill Church in Temple Terrace. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be made to Compassion International or Southeast Beagle Rescue, Inc., or by sponsoring a youth in your home church for a designated event such as a camp or mission trip.
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