Donald Ray Terry

Published 12:01 am Thursday, September 22, 2016

NATCHEZ — A graveside rosary for Donald Ray “Don” Terry, who died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, surrounded by family, will be 9 a.m. Saturday at the Natchez City Cemetery.    
Burial will follow under the direction of Evangeline Funeral Home in St. Martinville, La.
A gathering to celebrate Don’s life will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. following the services at Comfort Suites, 100 Front St., in Vidalia.
Mr. Terry was born in Shreveport, La., and lived there until the family moved to Vidalia during his preteen years. He was a graduate of Vidalia High School and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., with a degree in finance, banking and investments. He worked in the banking industry for more than 13 years as a loan officer and branch manager. He also served as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Program in Haynesville, La.
In 1994, Don became the first executive director for the St. Martin Economic Development Authority (SMEDA.) He was also an executive analyst for George S. May Business Consultants in Chicago and worked for the Governor’s Office of Rural Development as a field coordinator.
He retired in 2010 from the Entergy Corporation, where he worked as a community developer. Don worked with 24 Entergy team cities in 20 parishes throughout the North Louisiana Service Territory. He worked closely with legislators, mayors, local economic development organizations and a number of volunteer citizens who wished to improve the quality of life in their towns.
He also had a thorough knowledge of historic preservation. Don purchased and restored two antebellum homes in the Natchez downtown historic district. The first, at age 22 in 1976, an 1840s Creole-styled duplex currently being operated as a bed and breakfast under the trade name of The Elephant’s Ear. In 1978, he purchased, a three-story 1855 Greek Revival townhouse, known today as The Orchard. He also served on the Tacony House (Vidalia) Restoration Committee as a lead researcher for the project. In 1979, he purchased, restored and maintained the family’s ancestral home, Burnham Plantation, in Claiborne Parish. He was also instrumental in the restoration of the Herbert S. Ford Museum in Homer, La., and The Shadows in Minden, La. In 1997, he purchased and began restoration of an 1880s two-story commercial building at the corner of Main and Bridge streets in St. Martinville.
Don chaired various fundraisers for community projects including Old Town Cemetery in Haynesville. He originated and coined the term “A Night At The Fair,” a fundraising event to construct a community center in Haynesville, and also originated and coined the term “Cajuns, Cousins and Cuisine” as a fundraiser for the Acadian Memorial. He served as co-chairman of the event.
He supported tourism and served on the boards of Shadows Restoration Committee (Webster Parish), Claiborne Parish Tourist Commission and St. Martin Parish Scenic Byway Committee. He organized and co-chaired “March Thru Claiborne” tour of historic homes and was a state director for the Louisiana Recreational Trails Program, Governor’s Office of Rural Development.
Don was a great contributor of community service and served on the advisory committee for Louisiana Technical College, Region 8, Board of Directors, West Monroe Chamber of Commerce, West Monroe Kiwanis Club, co-chair, Rivertown Awards — Ouachita Parish, Ouachita Parish Heart Association, sponsorship chairman, vice chairman and chairman, St. Martinville Rotary Club, publicity/newsletter editor, Acadian Memorial Board of Directors, Piney Hills Regional Tourism Board of Directors, North Claiborne Hospital Board of Commissioners, Haynesville Housing Authority grant writer, Haynesville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 1987 president, Claiborne Parish Industrial Development Foundation, Claiborne Parish Fair Association Board, secretary, H.S. Ford Museum, Homer, La., Board of Directors, North Louisiana Historical Association Board of Directors and many others.
He was also a historian and did extensive research in the history of North Louisiana and St. Martin Parish. He cherished the elderly and served on the Louisiana Executive Board for the Aging.
Don was a great cook. Serving lunch for two to 200 was no problem for him. It was not unusual for Don to prepare and deliver an entire meal for the sick, elderly or someone who just needed a kind gesture. He loved creating beautiful landscapes. He and his wife, Mary, enjoyed scouring the countryside in search of a new antique. He thoroughly enjoyed family get-togethers with the Burnham, Terry and LeBlanc families.
Mr. Terry was preceded in death by his beloved parents, W.D. “Dick” Terry and Elner Burnham Terry of Vidalia; his father-in-law, Lee Roy LeBlanc; brother-in-law, Dennis LeBlanc; and his dear friend, Mildred Carter of Natchez.
Survivors include his wife, Mary LeBlanc Terry of Parks; one son, William “Forrest” Terry of Agra, Okla.; two daughters, Stephanie M. Badeaux and husband, Joey, of Breaux Bridge, La., and Caitlin E. Johnson and companion, Vanessa Russell, of Prairieville, La.; one brother, Weldon “Dickie” Terry and wife, Mary, of Teague, Texas; one grandson, J.J. Badeaux of Breaux Bridge; and his mother-in-law, Verna H. LeBlanc of Breaux Bridge.
He is also survived by two fur babies, Cleopatrick and Sir Winston.