Terry was born in Regina, SK in July, 1952. He attended school in Regina and joined Transport Canada as an Air Traffic Controller following High School in 1971. He was subsequently employed in Thompson, MB Control Tower, and in Regina Control Tower and Terminal Control Unit. He then moved as an Air Traffic Control Instructor to Cornwall, ON at the then new Transport Canada Training Institute in 1978. He then accepted a position as a Controller with the Winnipeg Centre. He remained as an Air Traffic Controller with the newly established Nav Canada when that agency assumed the responsibility for aviation navigation from Transport Canada in 1996. Terry retired from Nav Canada in 2006.

Following retirement Terry continued his interest in aviation accepting employment as a Flight Instructor with Allied Aviation in Portage La Prairie, MB and then joining Harv's Air in St. Andrews, MB in 2007. Terry rejoined Allied Aviation in 2009 as a Flight Instructor.

Terry became involved with the Air Cadet Program while in Regina in 1977. He was both a Civilian Instructor and Cadet Instructor List Officer with 41 Squadron, as well as being active in the SK flying program. In 2003 he joined the Manitoba Provincial Committee becoming Vice Chair in 2006 followed very shortly after as Chair when the incumbent Chair resigned. Terry served as Chair until 2009. He was a National Director from 2007 and was voted to the National Board of Governors in 2009. He is presently serving as an Advisory Board Member with the ACL (MB). Terry received the National League's Certificate of Honour in 2010 and the Volunteer Service Medal in 2016. He also received the ACL (MB) Douglas Inglis Award for Distinguished Service in 2016.

Terry has also volunteered in the community as a Hockey Coach, a Skiing Instructor and a Diving Instructor. He and his wife Lorraine have three sons.

Terry passed away on March 24, 2017.