Percy Terry

Percy Terry, Jr., a resident of Simpsonville for 30 years, died Friday, May 1, 2009 at The Haven. Born in Shreveport, LA, on April 19, 1919, he was the son of the late Percy and Mary Ann Woodall Terry. He was married to Margaret Schroeder on December 1, 1945, in Lincoln Park, MI. Mrs. Terry predeceased him on February 20, 2008, as did their son, Kim Woodall Terry, in April 2006, and his brother, Sidney Terry in 2003. Mr. Terry is survived by one sister, Mildred Harper, of Longview, TX; and sisters-in-law, Betty Terry of Seneca, SC, and Adele Schroeder of Twinsburg, OH. Mr. Terry was proud of serving his country from 1936-1945, and during World War II was stationed with the Fifth Air Force in Australia and New Guinea. He has fond memories of attending the World War II Memorial groundbreaking, dedication with his son, Kim, in 2005, and Honor Flight of 2008. He attended Centenary College, the University of Michigan where he was probably SC's #1 U of M fan, and graduated from from Walsh Institute of Accountancy in Detroit, MI, after which he began his more that 50 year career with Springfield Tool and Die in Dearborn, MI, and Greenville, SC, retiring as General Manager. He was a civic leader in Dearborn, and continued his civic participation with the Pleasantburg Rotary Club after moving to SC in 1978. Mr. Terry's entire adult life has been dedicated to students and projects to enhance their education and their lives. In 1981 as Pleasantburg Rotary chairman, he, along with Dr. Floyd Hall and Virginia Uldrick, established Spring Sing as a School District of Greenville County and Pleasanburg Rotary Club project to promote quality choral music and funding for the schools' music programs. Spring Sing celebrated its 28th year this April. In 1982 he began work with a group of determined people to shape an idea into reality that is today Roper Mountain Science Center. He served on its Advisory Council from 1982-1990. Also, the program of Interact Clubs of Greenville County high schools, which promotes student exchange, was organized by Mr. Terry. He was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow as a result of his civic involvement. Mr. Terry was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn, MI, Trinity Lutheran Church Greenville, SC, and in recent years Messiah Lutheran Church in Mauldin. He was a member of Western Country Club while living in Dearborn, and Holly Tree Golf and Country Club in Simpsonville. Visitation will be held Monday, May 4, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, Mauldin. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Gum Springs Cemetery near Longview, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Newberry College, Margaret E. and Percy Terry, Jr. scholarship fund, 2100 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108, Messiah Lutheran Church, 1100 Log Shoals Road, Mauldin, SC 29662 or to the charity of one's choice.