It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that the Smith (Johnson) family would like to announce the passing of Terrell Narcisse Johnson-Jourdain (Smith) of Fort Frances, Ont.
Well-known to all as Pedo or Paydro, he passed away unexpectedly at age 25 on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight during the very short time spent in Trail, B.C.
Terrell (Pedo) was born June 5, 1990 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances to his mother, Gloria Liz Smith (Johnson) of Fort Frances, and father, Lawrence W. Jourdain of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Pedo grew up in Fort Frances, where he attended Sixth Street School for JK/SK, then transferred to Huffman and Robert Moore, and, lastly, attended Fort Frances High School. He then completed his high school years in Thunder Bay, where he resided for a few years.
Pedo then returned to Fort Frances, following his mother home from Thunder Bay in 2011.
Pedo resided with his mother in her home in Fort Frances, then moved to Medford, Ore. to live with his nephew, Cordell Chosa, and Cordell’s family for seven months in October, 2014.
He returned to Fort Frances in May, 2015 to live with his mother and brother, Tys, then four months later, in September, 2015, he made arrangements to go look for work in Trail, B.C., where he went and passed away suddenly in the home where he was staying.
Peeds loved skateboarding with his buddies and gals that he grew up with in Fort Frances. Skating also was the best memories he had growing up; he would get up early or run there after school to hang out with his friend,the late Graham Matheson, who called Peeds the “rink rat.”
Peeds also had a passion for cheffing up food for his mother, brother, and his friends. He so much wanted to become that chef but he lived it at home and at friends.
He even took the time to spend with his special lady friends he grew up with in Fort Frances, saying, “It’s that time again for our girls’ night out.”
Peeds led a troubled life in his teen years due to family break-up, which led him to try and find comfort living the street life in Thunder Bay. But he soon found a lot of peace coming back to his hometown of Fort Frances.
Peeds found rap at the age of seven, and never stopped singing, rapping, and writing lyrics. He rapped for his family members, friends, and even strangers; you could hear him rapping at the top of his lungs with such passion, soul, and confidence, not an ounce of shyness.
His inspiration for rapping came from finding the writings of his mother’s poems and art through colour; his mother told him he can find peace in his heart through expressing his feelings and emotions through writing that his lyrics came in.
That really became his biggest passion of singing every day, anywhere and everywhere he went. And that’s how the name “Paydro” came to be.
This young man is well-known in many cities and also for touching the lives of some of our young teens from Fort Frances High School. His dream was to become a healer through motivational speaking and helping teens and children to express themselves through writing lyrics and turning that into music.
He had a talent for mixing his own recordings using computers, and he loved having rap battles online with other rappers. He even got to show his talent on stage with Joey Stylez.
And in Thunder Bay, spent a lot of time at McGuire’s studio making music videos and photo shoots.
Paydro’s other passion in life was spending time with his brother, Tys, and his number-one lady, his mother, Gloria, and his “bubbly girl” and companion, his dog, Ms. Paigey, and the rest of his family members. His love was the brightest and he never hesitated to express that kind of emotion to anyone, family or not.
Peeds was the life of any gathering and spent every chance with his friends, making everyone laugh with his great sense of humour and always being that silly chipper soul. He loved being the entertainer, especially to the little ones that were near and dear to him.
If he felt for you in time of need, he made sure he was totally there for that person, emotionally and physically, and always finding magical words of healing in that moment.
Our sweet loving and caring Payds was the kind of person that would take care of you and protect you in any way, and he was always so quick to forgive. He took the shirt off his back for everyone and anyone.
Our sweet spirit made an impact forever with special needs teens, children, and even our adults . . . bringing out their true selves to express fully in confidence and to feel safe for once in their lives against others. He had a very special golden place in his heart for them.
He often showed tears when he spoke of his experiences and how he helped them up when they were down.
Payds was a very honest and amazing person so full of life even though he had some sadness in his heart, as all of us do, but his way was just to get up and live life to the fullest. Live, love, laugh, and care for people every day. No matter what was going on in his life, that did not stop him from moving forward.
Adults, teens, even little children gravitated toward him instantly because of his easy, approachable caring character; his smile took people’s breath away. Pedo was a very charming young man and had a way of making women feel very special.
He loved the rosary with all of his heart and soul because he felt the Mother Mary seemed to be forgotten, so he loved wearing the rosary in her honour and for all mothers.
The life of Terrell’s happy spirit shone through from the very first day of his life, when opened those eyes to the world for the very first time. A very intuitive and a spiritual soul of a son, uncle, brother, and cousin, and a best friend, this young man he will never be forgotten.
And the emptiness he had in his heart every day for his best friends, the late Ben Klyne and Neil Roy, forever has been reunited.
A message from Paydro Jourdain:
I’m Paydro Bandz, I’m a warrior more, I’m Ojibwe, so understand, I’m set for war and I love the Lord, I open doors and take my course. I thank the Lord for my choice of words.
I live my life so you best live yours.
He leaves behind his mother, Gloria Smith-Johnson; brother, Tyson Lauren Johnson-Jourdain.; father, Larry Jourdain and his family; aunts, Janice K. Smith and Elise (Dave) Wesley; uncle, Steve Johnson; as well as a large extended family.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Edward and Mabel Smith; uncle, Elvis Smith; and aunts, Angeline Joseph, Gladys Johnson, and Rose Smith.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 from 3-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at 11 a.m., with Fr. Victor De Gagné officiating.
The pallbearers will be Joshua Trendiak, Joshua G. Tucker, George Councillor, Brad Baxter, Neal Moon, Codey Vien, Mike Cochrane (Avon), and Brandon Tuesday (Bean).
The honorary pallbearers will be his brother, Tyson Lauren Johnson-Jourdain; Ms. Paigey (Pet Companion); cousins, Jarrett Wade Smith (Jamal), Carrie Lynne Johnson (Buco), and Javan Aaron Smith; and friends, DeQuawn Hamilton, Wendy Kellly, Rhiannon Tuesday, and Marcella (Marcie) Jourdain.
As I sit in Heaven
And watch you everyday
I try to let you know with signs
I never went away.
I hear you when you’re laughing
And watch you as you sleep
I even place my arms around you
To calm you as you weep.
I see you wish the days away
Begging to have me home
So I try to send you signs
So you know you are not alone.
Don’t feel guilty that you have
Life that was denied to me
Heaven is truly beautiful
Just you wait and see.
So live your life, laugh again
Enjoy yourself, be free
Then I know with every breath you take
You’ll be taking one for me . . . .
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
TERRELL NARCISSE JOHNSON-JOURDAIN (SMITH)
