Terry Gene Fellers, 70, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, Aug. 1st with family by his side. He was born in Newton, Kan. on Jan. 17th, 1955 to Alvin Fellers and Billie Jean (Joles). He grew up in Hoisington and Hutchinson, Kan/ with his parents and four brothers, Robert, Steven, Dennis and Brian. Some of his fondest childhood memories included riding horseback with his brothers out in the Kansas countryside and also listening to his mother play old time gospel and boogie woogie on the piano.

Following in his father and brother Robert’s footsteps, Terry joined the Army in 1971 and later received an honorable discharge. Afterwards,he worked in the oil field during the Kansas oil boom of the late seventies and early eighties. He married Paula Sue McCullough on Aug. 18th, 1981 and graduated from Brown Mackie College with a Business and Marketing degree in 1987. He then worked at Reiter Chevrolet and Marmie Motors for ten years until health problems caused him to retire early.  

Inspired by musicians in his family and the discovery of the Beatles, Terry began writing songs and taught himself to play the guitar at the age of 15. He was a left-handed “south paw” who learned to play upside down and by ear. He studied the styles of his favorite song writers, rock guitarists and blues artists: Jimmy Page, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhodes, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Muddy Waters...just to name a few. Terry collaborated with various local musicians and played live shows in the 1980’s and 2000’s. He entertained audiences with his stage presence and loved any opportunity to wow them with charismatic guitar solos. Playing behind his head and showing homage to Led Zepplin by using a violin bow were a couple of his favorites. 

Terry loved God and was passionate about sharing his Christian faith. After years of medical issues and disease diagnoses that included surgeries to repair his ruptured appendix, two cardiac surgeries and  three separate cancer diagnoses, he dedicated his energy to writing and performing music proclaiming God’s love and the healing power of prayer. In 2010, he released an album entitled Road to Glory, recorded at Awestruck Studios in Kansas City and  featured his son, Josh, on drums. This was one of his proudest moments.

Beginning in 2011, he was honored to tour with different music ministries and was given the opportunity to perform at “Music for the Soul” during the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota. Terry has also been a featured artist on “The Gospel Blues Hour” a radio program with listeners from around the world where he had a large following in the UK. On Oct. 14th, 2014, Terry was inducted into the Kansas Blues Hall of Fame through the American Heritage International Organization.

Terry is survived by his wife Paula; his son Josh Fellers and wife Lindsey; and his daughter, Jennifer Stoddard and husband Jay. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Lily, Lauriel, Luke, Lyla, Hazel and Diana, as well as several nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his loving dog, Jazz. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

A  Celebration of Life Service and Butterfly Release will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Terry’s name can be made to the Terry Gene Fellers Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS  67530. These donations will be used by the family for end of life expenses and celebration preparations. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 5, 2025