Terry Lee Rothwell

Terry Lee Rothwell, 76, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. He was born on March 13, 1949 in Danville, Illinois to Mathias and Marjorie (Roberts) Rothwell.

Terry was born in Danville, Illinois as the second child of four, the only son and his mother’s declared “favorite”. He was a graduate of Danville High School and worked at the local cemetery. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Illinois University.

He met his wife of 48 years at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. When they married on November 19, 1977, he gained a son, Erin Youngs, whom he raised and loved as his own. In the late 70’s, Terry lost two fingers in a table saw accident, which left him with an iconic wave and an anomaly that he recalled each grandchild discovering. Terry and Sue added Daisy to their family in 1981 and welcomed Molly in 1984.

Terry’s career shifted from Exxon’s Carter Mining Coal Company to ExxonMobil Corporation, where he retired after 30 years of service. He worked in Carlinville, Illinois, Gillette, Wyoming, Houston and Beaumont, Texas. As an Human Resources Manager, he guided, trained and coached numerous employees. Although the hours were long in Houston, he still was present at all school events and kept his family at the forefront of his mind. He swam regularly on his lunch break at the YMCA and donated blood, as yet another way to make sure his family was cared for well.

Terry and Sue loved returning to their roots of Illinois and Indiana. Driving the winding roads, caring for family there all the while hunting various antiques at auctions. Terry later shifted into “dumpster diving” obtaining items, only to give away to those that needed it or to whomever he knew would love it.

Standing at 6 foot 2 inches, he never commanded a room with his presence, but as a gentle giant, he would engage in one on one conversations, never forgetting a name. His sky blue eyes exuded kindness and curiosity about whoever was in front of him. Terry was an Excel spreadsheet extraordinaire and documented so many details in his daily journal, cataloging and charting the simplest details of life. With his plethora of towels, he always had a clean car, washed and waxed; a daily standard that was maintained. Terry wore hats whenever outside, cocked up and slightly to the side - he was known for wearing two on the sunny golf courses, to ensure he wouldn’t get a sunburn. He loved listening to music with strong harmonies, watching March Madness and accomplishing his list; in his final days, only one thing a day, but at least one thing.

Whatever his children loved and later his grandchildren, Terry made it his own. He trained his daughters on daily life skills during “Saturday mornings with Terry” ensuring they would have skills from changing a tire to cleaning a drain, adamant that they be able to problem solve and face life head on. The lesson that was shared most was “cleaning up afterwards is the majority of the job,” as well as "If something didn’t work correctly, fix it” - he refused to live his life with “workarounds” but wanted things working properly. Following his daughter, Molly, he did his best to learn American Sign Language and was quick to wave the “I love you” hand to anyone as they departed, the hand with the missing fingers - a lisp.

Terry is survived by his loving wife, Sue Rothwell; Children: son, Erin Montgomery Youngs and wife, Jennifer, Gillette, WY; Daughters Daisy L. Ruff of Gillette, WY; Molly J. Rothwell of Olathe, KS.

8 grandchildren: Alyssa Nice (Chase); Andrew Youngs (Haley); Abigail Neilson (Justin); Angela, Austin, Alec Youngs; Nora Ruff. 

4 Great Grandchildren: Luke Youngs; Simeon, Acacia, Anna Youngs.

His sisters, Susan (John) McNeil of Texas, and Vicki Marsh of Tennessee, plus nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathais and Marjorie, and his older sister, Christine Wells.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held on December 1, 2025 at 1pm at Journey Church of Gillette, 3601 W Southern Dr, Gillette, WY 82718.

Internment: Mt Pisgah, Gillette, WY, 804 S Emerson Ave, Gillette, WY 82716.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that to honor Terry’s memory donate blood as often as possible and walk across the street to meet a neighbor. Shake hands with a stranger and do your best to remember their name. Make your own fun.

To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of Terry, please visit the guestbook below.