Thomas Dien Terry, 81, of Cleveland, TN, died on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.
He was born on October 9, 1933 in LaPorte, IN. He graduated from Wabash College in 1955. He served with the Counter Intelligence Corps in Stuttgart Germany from 1956-1958. During those years he made a commitment to Jesus Christ as his Savior and to Alice Ann Bowell as husband. Upon his return from military service he became a 6th grade teacher and later principal at Door Village Elementary/Jr. High School in LaPorte, IN. In 1966 he received his Master’s Degree from Indiana University. In 1972 he completed his Ph.D. at Purdue University. From 1972 to 1981 he served the Middlebury Community as Superintendent of the school system. From 1981 to 1990 he served the Avon, IN Community School System as Superintendent. While in Avon, he was president of Danville Mental Health for three years. He also served as secretary to the Superintendent’s Association for two years. From 1990-1997 he was the Director of Teacher Education at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. In 1997 he retired after 39 years in education.
Tom and Alice retired in Goshen IN and served in many capacities in the community. Tom was on the board at Faith Mission for 10 years. He served as president of the board at Faith Mission for six years helping with helping with expansion of services and building projects. Tom was in leadership at Beulah Missionary Church, serving as a trustee and building chair, and Sunday School teacher. Tom and Alice spent 8 summers at the Guangxi College of Education in Nanning, China and one summer in Seoul, Korea teaching English and sharing Jesus’ love with many students there. In 2012 Tom and Alice moved from Goshen to Cleveland, TN to be closer to their family.
That is what Thomas Terry did, but who he was is even more remarkable. He was a steadfast, honorable man who used his gift of communication to share his love and the love of Christ Jesus with his wife, his family, his friends and colleagues and countless others around the world.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Alice Terry of Cleveland, TN; daughter, Alicen Troyer (Greg) Lake Havasu City, AZ; daughter, Cynthia Ryman (Joel) Johnson City, TN; son, Thomas B. Terry Chattanooga, TN, six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be held from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 at Westwood Baptist Church, 4001 Georgetown Road NW, Cleveland, TN. The funeral will follow at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lottie Moon Missions Offering at Westwood Baptist Church.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.