James I. "Jimmy" Terry was born on Sept. 10, 1940, in Lake City, to the late Irwin D. and Callie Parker Terry. Terry passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 10. Terry graduated from Branford High School in 1959. After graduation, he served time in the United States Air Force. He was president and co-owner with his brother and first cousin of I.C. Terry Farm, Inc. He has been a farmer his whole life and he enjoyed what he did and loved being on the farm. During his life, he helped grow tobacco, corn, soybeans, peanuts, grass seed, hay, chickens, a cow/calf operation and doing the mechanical repairs as well as a home garden.
Terry loved to combine the grass seed and peanuts. He also enjoyed mowing his mother's yard, his own yard and around the farm buildings his whole life. He was a lifetime member of Siloam United Methodist Church. Terry served as the chairman of the board as well as treasurer. He was a trustee and treasurer of Siloam Cemetery Association, Inc.; he took on the responsibility of mowing the church grounds, as well as the cemetery his whole life. Terry was a member and board member, as well as serving as secretary for many years for the Columbia County Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the Lake City Camp of the Gideon International and a member of the American Legion Post #59 in Branford.
Terry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Ann Leslie Terry; children, Gail Terry, Jan Terry, Wayne (Karen) Terry and Nancy (Robbie) Pitts; grandchildren, Evie and Isaac Pitts, Cole and Callianne Terry; brother, E. William "Booty" (Peggy) Terry; sisters, Carolyn Cannon, Doris (Charles) Wilson, Patricia (Bill) Peeler, Margaret (John) Hancock and Janice (Bud) Holloway. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A funeral service for Terry will be conducted on Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. in the Siloam United Methodist Church with his brother-in-law, Billy Peeler officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, July 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be considered to the Siloam Cemetery Association in Terry's name at 969 SW Siloam St., Lake City, Fla., 32024; the Gideon International at P.O. Box 1805, Lake City, Fla., 32056 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, located at 3596 S U.S. Hwy 441, in Lake City, (386) 752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.