Michael R Terry

Michael R Terry was an intelligent, sophisticated, humorous, brilliant, and generous man. He lived his life doing what he loved most, learning. Michael was born in Munich, Germany on the first of October 1948 into a United States Air Force family: Mother Lois Terry and Father Robert Terry. His mother and older brother, Jim, joined his father in Germany at the end of 1946, and the family returned to the United States when Mike was nine months old. A younger brother joined the family, Scott, a few years later. Subsequently, the family accompanied his father on assignments to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Japan, and then back to Arizona. Michael’s favorite mention was Japan. Michael attended High School at Maryville High School in Phoenix, AZ and soon after attended the University of Arizona. Shortly after, he realized his true calling was the Air Force Academy. Mike enlisted in the Air Force in 1969. He attended the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School and then joined the Academy Class of 1974. While attending the Academy, Mike developed an enduring love of the study of military history. Following graduation, he attended pilot training in Oklahoma and continued his flying career in the KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Cold War deterrence and regional conflict operations. By the end of his flying career, he was designated Aircraft Commander, Instructor, and Standardization and Evaluation pilot. While on active duty, Mike continued his study of history, earning a master’s degree in history from the University of North Dakota. Subsequently, he served a tour on the faculty of the Academy as a history instructor. Mike specialized in the study of airpower and its influence on civil and military conflicts. After he retired from the Air Force, Mike served another tour as a history instructor at the Academy. He continued his scholarship by writing and editing books that explored military history, and he served as a long-time military history instructor at the American Military University. Michael lived the rest of his life in Colorado Springs, Colorado and married his wife, Debra Terry in November of 1997. Michael was an incredible man, son, husband, friend, and grandpa. He had a plethora of accomplishments, but his proudest was being a grandpa and father figure to his granddaughter, AJ. Michael passed away on December 14th, 2023, in Colorado Springs. He is to be laid to rest in the Air Force Academy cemetery in Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife Debra Terry, his daughter in law Chrysandra, his brothers Scott and Jim, and his granddaughter, AJ.