Tyrrell James Ermoian Sr.

Tyrrell James Ermoian, Sr. went to be with his Heavenly Father Wednesday, January 18, 2023, after a hard fight with throat cancer. A visitation will be from 6 - 8 PM Monday, January 23, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10AM on Tuesday, January 24, at Renew Church Waco with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery.

Terry was born in Chicago, IlI. On Nov 8*h 1939 to Edward and Lorraine Ermoian and lived there until he graduated from Lake View High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1957 at the age of 17 to see the world. He took his Basic boot training at Great Lakes, IlI. He was then stationed aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42 Attack Air Craft Carrier.(At that time was the largest Air Craft Carrier in the world with over 4,500 men.) Terry made two Mediterranean cruises while on this ship serving as a Hospital Corpsman. They toured Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Sicily Sardinia, New Finland and the Virgin Islands. Terry saw combat duty in Cuba. Terry served 5 ½ years active and 4 ½ years reserves and left the military as a HM2 noncommissioned officer. Terry loved his country and our flag. He served his country well and was a disabled veteran. He was separated from the service as a Fleet Marine Corpsman after final training at Camp Pendleton Calif. While in the Navy Terry married Marti Holcombe and they raised three sons.

They were married for 20 years.

After the military, Terry chose a career in Sales because he loved people and had excellent communication skills. It turned out well for him, enjoying a colorful diverse and well traveled 38 year career, working for companies like, Sharp Electronics, Sales Manager for Thousand Trails Resorts @ Lake Whitney, Tx. He taught for Success Motivational Institute, was a V.P. for Great Western Buss Services. Terry started his own business the first Sun Tanning Salons in Waco (Tanfastic Tanning Salon and Campus Outdoor Skate Rental both on the Baylor Campus). His final sales position was with Staff Leasing which later became Gevity. His final year Terry ranked 3rd out of 260 Reps. God unexpectedly called Terry away from his very successful sales career to start Pure Freedom Ministry, a very unique and challenging ministry. He left behind his six figure income to work without pay, serving the Lord in 2001. Pure Freedom Ministry helps men caught up in their Addiction to Internet Pornography and shows them the only true and lasting way to Freedom, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only by the Grace of God over the past 22 years, his ministry has been able to help well over 10,000 men be set free of their pornography addiction and come to know the Lord. Terry had a passion for his ministry and held weekly meetings at his home every week.

Terry loved the Lord and was a member of Lakewood Christian Church for the past 43 years, now called Renew Church. He served as President of the Men's Christian Group, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and served 8 times as Elder, receiving the respected Elder Emeritus Award for faithful service to his Church. Terry served on the Board of directors of the Waco Civic Theater and held season tickets for over 40 years.

Terry's real passion was singing in the well known Barbershop Quartet (The Brazos Knights) singing together for 28 years. Every Valentine's Day would find them either on TV or on the front page of the newspaper singing Love Songs to pretty ladies all over the city. Terry was a real ham and loved to entertain people. He was a long standing member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for over 50 years and sang for over 33 years with the Texas Country Gentlemen Chorus, and served on their Board of Directors.

Terry married the love of his life, Valetha Simpson Ermoian, in December 1983 and for 39 years they enjoyed a wonderful life together. They loved their involvement with Lakewood Church, dancing, traveling to places all over the world-- usually where Terry could fish or Kayak, and they both loved to dine out with family and friends. Terry loved and was very supportive of his family of three sons: Jeffrey (wife Sharil), Tyrrell James (TJ) (wife Leann) & Christopher (wife Lindy). Terry leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Do not sorrow at Terry's passing for he led a happy, complete, colorful life. God has big plans in store for him! He fought the good fight, finished the race, and is awaiting a special reward in Heaven!!

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Pure Freedom Ministry in Waco, St. Jude's Children Hospital or Shriner's Hospital.