His coach and teammates are remembering a former Galesburg football star, renowned for his big plays and clutch performances with the 1991 Silver Streaks, one of the school’s greatest teams.
King Terrance J. “TJ” Pendleton died on May 8 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, leaving behind a legacy as one of Galesburg High School’s most electrifying athletes. He was 51.
A 1992 GHS graduate, Pendleton was a star tailback on the 1991 Silver Streaks football team that went 9-1, falling in the first round of the IHSA state football playoffs to future NFL star Mike Alstott and the Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers.
Former Streaks Coach Chris Stiles called Pendleton “the perfect tailback” for the I-formation option offense, a threat to score on every touch.
“He was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball,” Stiles said. “We would have never had a championship team in 1991 without him.”
Stiles recalled a play Pendleton made in a key game against defending champion Alleman for what proved to be the title of the Western Big 6 Conference.
“We were trailing at halftime and TJ takes a pitch on the very first play of the second half and goes 75 yards for a touchdown,” Stiles said. “That play changed the whole dynamic of that game and we never looked back.”
Obituary: King Terrance ‘TJ’ Pendleton ~ August 3, 1973 – May 8, 2025
Coach: ‘His star shined the brightest’ on Friday nights
Stiles noted Pendleton had “the perfect personality for our team.
“We had a lot of what I like to call grinders on that team. They would eat and sleep football. TJ was more fun loving. He didn’t particularly like practice and workouts but he would do what he had to get through it all.
“But when the Friday night lights turned on, his star shined the brightest. I have never forgotten him and I never will. I am grateful I had the opportunity to be his coach.”
Teammate Jerry “Buddy” Cato, a fellow backfield star, said, “TJ showed a lot of ‘heart.’ The first play of our senior year, he ran over a defender for 15 yards. That ‘beast mode’ look on his face let me know I had to match him.”
Cato added, “In the triple option, if the ball made it to TJ, it was lights out!”
‘A fierce competitor on the football field and basketball court’
Pendleton also was a starter for the Silver Streaks basketball team, often times being assigned to defend the opponent’s top scoring threat.
Former Streaks football and basketball teammate Zach Shay said, “TJ was a fierce competitor on the football field and basketball court. As a football player, he was a powerful downhill runner—athletic, fast, and always a threat to take it the distance. Alongside teammate Jerry Cato, the two formed a feared duo.
“On the basketball court, TJ brought the same level of intensity. A true “lunch-pail” player, he embraced the gritty work—defending, rebounding, and giving his all on every possession. Reminiscent of Dennis Rodman.”
Shay added, “TJ was a good man that passed way too soon.”
TJ Pendleton was born Aug. 3, 1973, in Galesburg the son of Clarance James and Estherline (Spinks) Pendleton. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1992. He later graduated from Carl Sandburg College with his associates degree and then transferred to Central Methodist College and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
He married Hope Holmquist, and they had four children: Tera, Terrance J. “TJ” II, Tiara, and Tia Pendleton.
TJ is survived by his parents, Clarance J. (Beverly Ann) Pendleton of Galesburg and Estherline (the late Grant, Sr.) Duncan of Peoria; children, Tera Pendleton and Terrance J. “TJ” Pendleton II of Peoria, and Tiara Pendleton and Tia Pendleton of Albuquerque, New Mexico; siblings, Heather (Patrick) Shepherd and Heidi Pettis of Peoria, Clarance Jackson of Kansas City, Lyric Pendleton of Iowa, KaeVahn Pendleton, Derrick Pendleton, and Michael Pendleton of Galesburg; six grandchildren, Talia, Tai, Kenni, King, Terrance J. III, and Jayden; former wife, Hope Holmquist; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation for TJ Pendleton is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at the Central Congregational Church, Galesburg.
