Jimmy Terry

Jimmy Terry passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 12, 2010, in Norman after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in Cache, Oklahoma, on January 6, 1933 to Marvin and Myrtle Terry. His family moved to Oregon in 1938 to work at the shipyards during WWII. Missing Oklahoma, the family moved back to Cache after WWII, where he lived with Papa Jack for a few years while working as a ranch hand and attending school, and building many happy childhood memories with his brothers and sisters. In 1948, Jimmy joined the Army National Guard and served overseas in the Korean War. After the War, he returned to Cache, where he graduated in 1953. Shortly thereafter, he began a long career working full-time for the Oklahoma National Guard until his retirement in 1986. After this first retirement, he then worked for Quality Plumbing in Norman until his final retirement in 2000. Jimmy married his beloved Wilma in 1961. Together, they proceeded to raise three boys in the little house on Hartman, attending many sporting events and band concerts. Jimmy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and his family shares many lasting memories of their times together. Jimmy was also known as the man who could fix anything. If something broke that no one else could repair, Jimmy always had a way of "fixin things." He was also an accomplished woodworker. All of his children and grandchildren are left with bookcases, chests-of-drawers, desks, and other pieces of furniture built with his loving care and exquisite workmanship. Upon his final retirement, Jimmy and his beloved wife Wilma spent all of their time together, most notably by taking many road trips, visiting family, friends, and seeing the countryside. He seemed to have a particular fondness for the Great Southwest and the beaches of North Carolina. When asked recently to remember what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied, "A cowboy, but I guess Uncle Sam had other plans." So he collected cowboy art, listened to cowboy music, and could always be spotted in jeans and cowboy boots. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Terry and Myrtle (Plumlee) Terry; brother, G.E. Terry; and sister, Dixie Gilbert. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Wilma; three sons: Robert Terry and wife Carol of Norman, Richard Terry of Norman, and Jim Terry and wife Sandy of Noble; and four grandchildren: Jarrod Terry and wife Miranda of Norman; and Valerie, Jeffrey, and Zachary Terry of Norman. He is also survived by his sister, Marie Matthews of Lawton; his brother, Richard Terry of Minco; and his sister-in-law, June Powell of Ormond Beach, Florida. Finally, he is survived by a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel in Oklahoma City, OK, with interment to follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Family visitation will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at the Resthaven Funeral Home. Our family wishes to especially thank all the health care and hospice workers who cared for Jimmy in the last few months of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society. For more information or to leave condolences, please visit our website at: www.ResthavenOKC.com