July 23, 2026
Former East Ridge High School Football Player Jalen Nathaniel Terrell dies After Courageous Cancer Battle
By Kyle Coppola
Former East Ridge High School Football Player Jalen Nathaniel Terrell dies After Courageous Cancer Battle
Jalen Nathaniel Terrell, a 20-year-old East Ridge High graduate known for his powerful voice, athleticism and gentle spirit died July 15 after a courageous battle with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer that develops in the cells that form bones.
According to his obituary, Jalen was born April 26, 2006, in Newport News, Virginia, to Valencia Terrell Holiday, spending parts of his childhood in Virginia, Alabama, Hawaii and Florida.
People close to him say to know Jalen was to know what a true friend could be. It is said that his smile was contagious and his happiness made those around him gravitate toward him.
A gifted singer who loved music, Jalen also built an online community through gaming. He was an active athlete who played basketball, competed in track and found a home in Clermont on the East Ridge football field.
“His teammates knew him not only as the big guy, but as a young man of deep compassion; he had a way of making everyone around him feel like they belonged,” the obituary reads.
East Ridge High’s head football coach Donnie Burchfield honored Jalen’s memory with a statement.
“Jalen was more than a player, he was a teammate, a brother, a son, and a young man whose courage and impact will never be forgotten,” Burchfield says. “His strength, his spirit and the memories he created with so many will continue to live on.
“Please continue to keep Jalen’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved him in your prayers. Forever remembered. Forever loved. Forever part of our football family.”
He is further described as a “gentle giant.”
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“He was kind, easygoing, and quick to give love freely, never asking for anything in return. He encouraged others, made people feel valued and touched more lives than he may ever have realized,” his obituary concludes. “Jalen loved big. He loved hard. He loved unconditionally.”
Jalen is survived by his mother, Valencia Terrell Holiday; his father, Kevin Heard (Markita); brothers Terence Holiday (Lana), Brandon Holiday, Joshua Holiday, Brayden Terrell and Joshua Heard; sister Brandi Heard; nephew Maxwell Holiday and niece Paisley Holiday; uncle Vincent Terrell and aunt Machelle Terrell; cousins Ashley Terrell, Vincent Terrell Jr., Orlando Pinner and Jordan Terrell; and many other loving relatives.
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A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 3pm at Real Life Christian Church in Clermont. Auditorium A, 1501 Steves Rd., Clermont. Viewing will begin at 2:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Terrell’s memory. Please visit legacy.com to find out how and where to donate.
Photos by: Dobbs Funeral Home
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
