Jerry Vance Terry

Jerry Vance Terry born December 9th, 1936 to Solus and Gladys Terry went to meet his heavenly father Jesus and his beloved sweetheart “Margaret” on May 19, 2022 with family watching over him. Jerry was born in Brentwood California, the second child of Solus and Gladys Terry. Receiving the Bank of America award for music, he graduated with honors from Liberty High School, Brentwood California in 1955 and joined the United States Air Force serving during the Korean War until he took an honorable discharge to help his wife while she cared for her mother until her passing. Jerry married Margaret Combes on March 11th, 1955 and their marriage and love lasted 66 beautiful years. When asked the success and blessing of their marriage, both Jerry and Margaret would tell others, “Put Jesus Christ their personal Savior first in their marriage with every trial and blessing that may come into their lives, always kiss each other good night and most importantly say I love you”. On November 3rd, 1956 Jerry and Margaret were blest to become parents upon the arrival of their son, Jerry Keith Terry. April 28th, 1958 their first daughter, Jennifer Marguritte Terry (Skoog) arrived with their third blessing, a second daughter, Juliana Charoone Terry arriving July 15th, 1959. In February of 1961 Jerry was called into the ministry and began his calling to serve Jesus Christ as this was evident in the beautiful message Margaret wrote in the Bible she presented to her sweetheart on February 17th, 1961 for the beginning of a fulfilling life in ministry. Jerry retired in 1986 however he continued ministering to others, especially in his home. He wanted everyone to make Jesus their personal Savior in order to live eternally with Him in Heaven. Jerry had many verses he loved to share but he loved Matthew Chapter 6 when Jesus spoke to the disciples on how to pray. Jerry stated many times to family he couldn’t wait to sit down and have a chit chat with John, Peter and Paul when he got to heaven so they could tell him all about walking and serving with Jesus. Jerry would preach on Sunday mornings at the Nazarene and Baptist churches in Dorris whenever asked. Jerry served as Dorris City Treasurer from 2004 to 2015 and had the privilege of being chauffeured around the community he loved and called home the week before his passing by his granddaughter Tara. Jerry loved music and playing the piano. Jerry began playing piano as a young boy and would play anything and everything by ear. He would add a beat or two (especially a soulful beat) to any music he played. Jerry was known to be the White Ray Charles when he sat down at the piano and began playing and singing. Jerry at the piano singing with his dad, older brother Francis (Frank), lil sister Barbara, and baby brother Butch making music, would continue on for many years after the passing of their dad, bringing enjoyment to everyone with extra beats thrown in on the piano. In 1971 Jerry and Margaret were called to pastor in Malin Oregon, it is there that Jerry formed the Malin Choir. In 2015 the Malin Choir was accompanied and directed one final time by Jerry on Margaret and his 60th wedding anniversary celebration sitting at the piano again blessing the guests with music. Jerry became a grandpa in 1977 and loved every minute of being a grandpa. He could tell many stories of pranks and jokes he and those two oldest grandsons of his would play on each other. But soon the other grandsons came along and got in on the pranks and jokes, poor grandpa was outnumbered 5 to 1 but for some reason he always got the last laugh. He had granddaughters that he loved to play practical pranks on but good old grandma had his number from day one and gave it to those granddaughters who had his number memorized! He loved to tell stories to all the grandkids and great grandkids, his last big story told was to his great granddaughter Berniece a few weeks before his passing. One special thing grandpa would do is have all the grandkids, nieces, and nephews gather around a tree to catch candy from “The Candy Tree”. To this day great grandkids and great nieces and nephews believe in “The Candy Tree”. In July of 2021 Jerry and Margaret’s son Keith and his wife Linda moved dad and mom into their home to care for both of them. Keith and Linda continued caring for dad after momma’s passing. He enjoyed Wednesday evening’s watching game shows with his grandson Isaac and his wife Patsy. Thank you Keith and Linda for the outstanding love you shared in caring for them, you truly are appreciated by mom, dad, your sisters, and all of the Terry Family! Jerry was preceded in death by his wife “Sweetheart” of 66 years, Margaret, parents Solus and Gladys Terry, father in law and mother in law Jess and Nettie Combes, his big brother Francis (Frank) Terry, and niece, Shirley Ann Terry. Survived by his three children, J. Keith Terry (Linda), Jennifer Skoog (Neil) and Juliana Terry, his grandchildren, Christopher Emmons (Megan), Isaac Terry (Patsy), Mandy Avgeris (JR), Charoone Clifford (Joey), Clinton Emmons (Brittany), Tara Skoog, Erik Skoog (Krystal), Cheneil Zieg, Jesse Terry, his 13 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, sister in law Barbara Terry (Frank), sister Barbara Candido (Vince), brother Butch Terry (Kathy), many nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends. Jerry will forever live on in our memories as dad, grandpa, gpa, friend, but in our memories we will always remember dad at the piano singing, “His Eye is On the Sparrow” and “Life is a Ballgame”. Dad, go play that grand piano in Heaven, direct the choir, add a few extra beats as only you could, but most of all “Stroll Over Heaven” with Mom and Jesus. We love you dad and we shall see you again and oh what a reunion! Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022, 2:00 PM, New Horizon Christian Fellowship, 1909 Homedale Rd in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Pastor Mike Voight, officiating. Burial will follow service immediately, Picard Cemetery in Dorris, California. Viewing to be held Friday, May 27, 2022, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cascade Cremation & Burial, 1229 E. Main St in Klamath Falls, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607