Lt. Col. Elmon G. Terry Sr., formerly of Florence and Huntsville, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Atlanta. Col. Terry was born in Decatur. He served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. He also served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Korea as military police MPC APO. After the wars, Col. Terry served with the Alabama National Guard and later as commander of the 115 Signal Corp based out of Florence until his retirement in 1979.
After World War II, he returned home to Alabama and graduated from Decatur High School in 1946 where he played football and basketball, was a member of Coach Shorty Ogle’s team, and a part of the Coach Ogle’s alumni gatherings. Col. Terry continued his education graduating from Florence State Teachers College (UNA) in 1950. Later, he obtained his Master’s and Ed.S. degrees in Education from the University of North Alabama.
Col. Terry served in the Lauderdale County school system for 35 years where he was principal of Underwood Elementary School. In 1955, he helped found the Lauderdale County Teachers Credit Union serving educators and their families. He was a charter member and served as an officer. In 1972-1973, Terry served as UNA alumni president and was actively involved with the Alumni Board and Athletic Clubs for several years. He was a long time member of both First Baptist and First United Methodist churches in Florence serving as a Sunday school teacher. Terry was a member of the Florence Lions Club and was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing throughout North Alabama. Elmon and Carolyn, were members of Florence Golf and Country Club and later Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club in Florence. After retirement, they were active members of the Alabama Seniors Golf Circuit and played throughout the State of Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dewey; father, Edward; brother, Elba; and sisters, Etha and Esther. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Carolyn Virginia Swaim Terry, who passed away in 2015.
He is survived by his daughter, Carol Nell Sutherland and husband, John, of Florence; son, Elmon G. Terry Jr. and wife, Sharon, of Atlanta, Georgia; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home on September 28, with a graveside service immediately following. Mr. Terry will be buried next to his wife, Carolyn, at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Col. Terry’s name to the University of North Alabama Alumni General Fund, the UNA Sports Booster Club of their choice, or Fisher’s House which serves military families.
