Born in Portland and from the age of four, Terry grew up continuously living in the Rose City Park Neighborhood attending Rice, Rose City Park and Madison High schools. Now retired, most of Terry's career was in the yellow page industry as a National Account Representative working with Customer Marketing Representatives hired by national corporations to place advertising in up to 300 directories. Terry has also held positions in automotive related fields and as a Supply Center Manager for a three-state savings and loan.

In the 1970's, Terry served four years on ODOT's Banfield Transitway Citizens Advisory Committee. He was elected chair in the last two years. The committee recommended the region's first MAX light rail line: Portland to Gresham coupled with widening the Banfield Freeway (now I-84) between I-5 and Gateway.

In the 1980's, Terry served as VP followed by three years on the Board of the Pacific Northwest Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. Terry was involved with the Excursion Committee preparing budgets, trip guide booklets and hosting on chartered Amtrak trains. On the Rolling Stock Committee Terry helped to restore rail equipment including two of the steam locomotives now housed at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center near OMSI.