Obituary photo - Wallace Terry

Nov. 22, 1921 Jan. 22, 2013

Wallace Stanton Terry, 91, of Alpine House in Joseph, died Jan. 22, 2013.

W.S. was born Nov. 22, 1921, in Enterprise, to Basil and Frances Rhoades Terry. He was raised on Alder Slope and attended Reavis School and graduated from Enterprise High School in 1940.

He was known for his wood cutting and boxing. He and his brother, Clifford, won a cross-cut saw competition in the early 1940s. He logged with teams of horses and was one of the first draftees from Wallowa County for World War II. He attained the rank of sergeant while serving in New Caladonia in the Pacific Theatre.

After returning from the war he began farming in the Leap area. He married Pearl McCoy Bacon in 1948.

In the summer of 1949, he and brother Clifford improved the landing air strip at Reds Horse Ranch by walking a caterpillar and land scraper up the Minam River.

He continued to farm and log in the 1950s. In 1961, he and Pearl divorced, and he moved first to Colorado and then to Montana.

By this time, he married Naomi J. Lane Taylor. They became involved in a large upholstery manufacturing business. His resourcefulness and inventiveness helped in his daily life and he built things hell for stout.

Upon retirement in the 1970s, Wallace and Naomi moved to Hillside, Ariz., where he was a community leader and volunteer fire chief. In 2001, they moved to Elgin for health reasons to be closer to family.

Survivors include stepson Gerald Bacon and his wife Lois and daughter-in-law Carol Terry of Enterprise; sons and daughters-in-law Glen and Glenda Terry of Newman Lake, Wash., and Stan and Vicki Terry of Island City; stepdaughter Frankie Taylor Thamert and her husband Dale of Elgin; stepson Rick and his wife Teresa of Polson, Mont., brother Lawrence and sister-in-law Joyce Terry of Lostine; and sister-in-law Pauline Terry of La Grande; and 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Wallace is predeceased by parents Basil and Frances Terry, wives Pearl Terry and Naomi Terry, brother Clifford Terry, sister Rena Freels, and son Douglas Terry.

A memorial will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to Alpine House or a charity of choice, in care of Bollman Funeral Home.