James Terry Ament

James “Terry” Ament was born on June 26, 1935, in Cookeville, TN. He was the only child of James Everett Ament (Jim) and Essie Brooks Ament. Terry was named after the doctor (Dr. Terry) who delivered him and ended up saving his life at birth. Terry grew up in Cookeville, where he played basketball on the high school team and later attended Tennessee Tech. Growing up in Middle TN, Terry quickly developed a love of hunting, fishing, sports, and almost all outdoor activities.

After his time at Tennessee Tech, Terry enlisted in the Army National Guard. He served for six years and earned the rank of E5. Terry was in charge of teaching, guiding, and leading small teams. He was also a vehicle mechanic and an expert-level marksman. He was very proud to have served. Later in his service career, the National Guard deployed him to Miami, FL. In the mid-1950s and 1960s, South Florida was far different than what comes to mind when you think of Miami today. Endless sunshine and saltwater provided many activities for outdoor recreation. Terry was hooked.

After his service in the Guard, Terry stayed in Miami, where he became a highly successful sales representative for several medical and pharmaceutical companies. Terry didn’t have to work too hard to be successful. Terry’s small-town charm, pleasant personality, and quick wit made him a natural salesperson. Terry had a gift for making a stranger feel like they were lifelong friends in minutes. Terry’s career later shifted to representing high-end Scandinavian crystal brands like Arabia, Iittala, Kosta Boda, George Jensen, and eventually into the hotel/motel supply business.

During his twenty-plus years in Florida, he met and married Florann Allison Ament. Terry and Florann had two children, James Alson Ament (Jamie), followed by Ashley Brooke Ament eleven years later. While raising a small family, it’s hard to believe the many activities he enjoyed while in Miami. From numerous saltwater fishing tournaments, high-level competitive tennis tournaments, and of course, we can’t forget owning, training, and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. Terry was a sportsman in the purest sense of the word.

Terry's career took him, Florann, and Jamie out of Florida, with brief stops in Lancaster, PA, where Ashley (daughter) was born; Princeton, NJ; and finally, he settled in Madison, WI. In 1988, Terry and a business partner bought a division of a larger company that became a successful plastics manufacturing company in Baraboo, WI. The manufacturing plant was bigger than a large Costco, and with extra space in the plant, they had fun over the years with several other small business ventures, such as a travel agency and collecting antique cars. In his last days, Terry proclaimed that building the business was his proudest accomplishment. During his years in Madison, he was still an avid sportsman. Even at the age of 75, he was still power boating up and down the Mississippi River, fishing on Lake Michigan, elk hunting in Colorado, playing tennis several times a week, riding his motorcycle halfway across the country, and trailering his offshore fishing boat down to Florida.

Terry has been at Brookdale Lohmans Crossing Assisted Living in Lakeway, TX, for the past three-plus years so he could be close to his children, Jamie and Ashley. Terry is survived by Jamie and his wife Andrea, Ashley, his first cousin Judy Furman, who was like a sister to him, and many other cousins, relatives, and friends. Terry passed away peacefully very early in the morning on December 23, 2025.

In his final hours, a music therapist visited and sat bedside softly playing guitar and singing some of Terry’s favorite songs. His last song was “My Way” by Sinatra. It was the kindest gesture ever witnessed. Terry truly did it “his way.” He will be missed.