Thomas Richard Terry, Sr.

Thomas “Tommy” Richard Terry, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord on Saturday August 30 at the age of 98. Tommy was born in Norfolk, Virginia on November 19, 1926 to William Andrew and Grace Atwell Smith Terry. His family made their home on Versailles Avenue in Norfolk where he was raised with his two brothers, William “Billy” and Grayson. The household also included his grandmother, uncles, aunts and cousins. It was certainly a full house, but as Tommy always said, “It was a house full of love.”

He attended both Maury and Granby High Schools, playing football for both. After graduation, he worked at various jobs. He was a natural salesman and was respected by all who worked with him. Tommy and his family were members of First United Methodist Church in Norfolk where his tenor voice and love of singing was often heard in the choir. His solos were a staple at Easter and Christmas celebrations. His love of music remained his lifelong passion.

He met and married Evelyn Joyce Williams, his lifelong companion and loving wife. Tommy and Evelyn bought their first home in Roland Park, Norfolk, a wonderful neighborhood in which to raise their growing family: Grace Lynne; Thomas Richard Jr. (Ricky); and Mitchell. While in Roland Park, Tommy was given an opportunity to use his talent for design and architecture when he and a partner started a construction and home improvement company. He soon became sole owner and his business grew into a successful venture that carries on today as Home Modernization Center.

While living in Norfolk, Tommy and Evelyn added their growing family to the membership of First Methodist Church. Most Sundays were spent getting the children ready for Sunday School and Church, singing in the choir and then attending a big Sunday dinner at Versailles Ave with Mom and Pop, other Terrys, Suttons, Smiths and Clements.

In 1963, Tommy and Evelyn moved to Virginia Beach to a beautiful homestead on the Lynnhaven River. They built their dream home leaving lots of room for their children to also build homes. This became what is affectionately known as the “Terry Compound” where three generations of Terrys continue to call home.

Having grown up near the Lafayette River, Tommy loved to go cruising in his boat not only on the Lafayette but also the Lynnhaven, the James, and Lake Gaston. However, boating and singing were not his only hobbies. He was fascinated with all vehicles large and small. One day, he decided to buy a motorcycle, but not just any motorcycle, a big Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. After getting the basics from the seller, he rode off and never looked back; no lessons, no practice. Tommy was just a natural Harley rider and rode well into his 60’s.

As his business grew, he found that an RV would be the perfect mobile office so he converted a GMC motor-home into the Home Modernization Center on wheels. He would visit clients, potential clients and jobs in the mobile office to enhance his work and engage his customers. The RV/Office evolved into a love for RV’s that allowed Tommy and Evelyn to travel, exploring the mid-Atlantic into their 80’s. With Evelyn’s interests in genealogy and ancestry, Tommy and Evelyn spent hours traveling to courthouses and cemeteries throughout Virginia, North Carolina and even New England searching for family records.

As their family continued to grow, the Terry home became the center of nearly all family gatherings. Every birthday was a celebration that Tommy and Evelyn would host. Thanksgivings were day long affairs and Christmas became the special highlight of the year. As the grandchildren assembled, Tommy would transform into Santa and entertain each child with gifts, stories and singing.

When Evelyn passed away in 2022, Tommy was devastated with the loss of his lifelong partner of 70 years. However, his family was a constant source of love and comfort to him. He spent many weekends at the lake with his sons and always welcomed planned and unplanned visits with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Although the RV’s, fancy cars, boats, and motorcycles were long gone, Tommy maintained a “fleet” of scooters on which he was often seen giving rides to his great grandchildren.

Tommy’s faith was very important to him. His relationship with his Lord sustained him throughout his long life. Although his last few months were so hard, he looked forward to being with the loved ones that had gone on before. He is now at peace.

Tommy is survived by his children Grace Lynne Dawson (Mark), Thomas Richard Terry, Jr. (Patti) and Mitchell Taylor Terry, Sr. (Trish). He is also survived by his twelve grandchildren and their spouses, and sixteen great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the caregivers from FirstLight Virginia Beach, to the staff at Waterford in Virginia Beach and to the staff at Westminster Canterbury Hospice for making Tommy’s final days as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tommy’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas will be held Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Following the Celebration service will be a committal service at Rosewood Memorial Park, 631 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.