Nathan "Nate" Michael Terrell, 25, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025, at his residence.

Nate graced the world with his presence on December 16, 1999. He was the beloved son of Maria and Russell Terrell. He is survived by his big sissies, Kylan Davenport (Neal) and Allie Terrell (Tim McGrath); one niece, Whitley Davenport; one nephew, William Davenport; five cousins, Kristen Royse, Josh Kidd, Tyler Kidd; many aunts and uncles; and, of course, his girls.

Nate was preceded in death by one brother, Matthew Terrell; maternal grandparents, Glinna and Allen Cox; paternal grandmother, Kay Terrell; and one cousin, Jared Royse.

When Nate walked into the room, you could feel his presence from a mile away. He just had this way of lighting up every space he walked into. His warmth and charisma made everyone feel seen, heard, and valued as if they were the most important person in the room. His innate ability to connect with others on a deeper level made everyone feel welcomed.

Nate held a strong belief in contributing to the communities he lived in and investing in the human spirit. His generosity was felt in countless ways whether it was his devotion to his niece and nephew, his willingness to go above and beyond for his family, or his boundless energy and enthusiasm for his friends. He was fiercely loved and loved fiercely. He was especially committed to uplifting members of the LGBTQ+ community, offering love, support, and a sense of belonging.

Nate was proud of who he was, living his life with a fearless authenticity and strength that others admired. He loved wearing bold outfits, listening to catchy pop music, throwing back a good cup of coffee, tearing up a dancefloor, pairing foam heel flip flops with acrylic nails, reading history books, and celebrating anything that sparkled. But, above all else, Nate's greatest passions were lifelong learning and advocating for children.

Nate was unwavering in his pursuit of learning. He was a 2018 graduate of Rowan County Senior High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society, a Student Government Association member, a 2017 Governor's Scholar, 2018 State Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking and Congressional Debate (Kentucky Education Speech & Debate Association), and Kentucky Youth Assembly's 2015-2016 Lieutenant Governor and 2017-2018 Speaker of the Commonwealth House.

He attended Western Kentucky University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. He was selected into the Mahurin Honors College and served on the Potter College Dean's Council of Students. In 2019, he was the recipient of the Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute scholarship and studied Marketing at the University of Westminster. He was an active member of the Student Alumni Ambassador program, elected to the WKU Coming Home Court, and crowned as a Kappa Delta King. Nate was selected for the 2020 LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Congressional Internship Program, where he received high praise for his work with U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Demonstrating his commitment to child advocacy, Nate's thesis on "Perceptions of Parents Involved with Child Welfare Services from Family Court Judges and Attorneys" passed with Honors.

After graduating from WKU, Nate continued his education at the University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration where he earned a Master of Public Administration. Continuing his passion for children's advocacy, his capstone project was "Defining and Evaluating Quality in Early Childhood Education" (co-authored in partnership with the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence). While in graduate school, Nate was a Policy Intern for Kim Reeder's campaign for Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts and a Public Affairs Intern at the U.S. Department of Energy.

When Nate was a young child, he watched Legally Blonde and knew immediately he wanted to be the next Elle Woods. To this end, after graduate school, he continued his education at the University of Kentucky's Rosenberg College of Law, where he was in his second year. Nate was a member of the Trial Advocacy Board, served as a family law research assistant, and interned for the Indiana Department of Child Services. His dream was to become a family law attorney so that he could continue advocating for children. It was his calling in life that he embraced with unmatched dedication and heart.

Nate's love surrounds those whose hearts will forever be broken by the profound loss of his joyful spirit. In memory of Nate, please be brave enough to embrace your truest version of yourself, be ambitious enough to pursue excellence, and be generous enough to celebrate others who do the same. Above all, in a world that can sometimes seem cruel, choose to be kind.

A celebration of Nathan Terrell's big, bold, beautiful life will be held at 11 a.m.  Friday, October 24, 2025, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jackson Campbell presiding.

Interment will follow at the Wallace-Terrell Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Kristen Royse, Josh Kidd, Tyler Kidd, Neal Davenport, Tim McGrath, Harper Anderson, Hathlyn Chapman, Sarah Nielander, Skylar Ballossini, Erica Buckley, and Carson LaMar.

Visitation for Nate will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.

In Nate's memory, please consider making donations to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute https://victoryinstitute.org/

View memorial tribute and sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com