Orvil Kay Terry died of causes incident to age on September 15, 2022. He was born on April 5, 1925, in Sutherland, Utah, to Amos Franklin and Eunetta Elliker Terry. Orvil married Arlene Storey on June 12, 1951. They enjoyed 62 years together, until Arlene’s passing on July 12, 2013. They have now been reunited.
Orvil grew up during the Great Depression, and, being from a family of 10 children, he knew hunger and want. But he also learned to work. If there was ever a soul built to work, it was Orvil Terry. In his nineties, he was still helping his neighbors rake their leaves, prune their trees, and clean snow from their driveways, as well as taking care of his own house and yard.
After living in Lehi, Santaquin, and Payson, Orvil’s family settled in Enterprise, north of St. George. At age 18, Orvil enlisted in the US Army and served in World War II in the European theater in the 288th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. Upon returning from the war, Orvil attended Dixie Junior College and the University of Utah, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was initially hired by his future father-in-law but left shortly after his marriage to work for Western Mortgage Loan Corporation, where he spent 32 years as treasurer and manager of the loan servicing and accounting departments.
Orvil was a dedicated Latter-day Saint who served in many callings, including bishop. He always had a dream to be a farmer, so when he retired, he took over his father-in-law’s cherry orchard, purchased a piece of land next to it, and planted a peach orchard. These orchards were skillfully pruned, weed-free, and bore exquisite fruit.
Orvil and Arlene loved to travel and enjoyed seeing beautiful scenery. Orvil was also an avid golfer, enjoying the game into his late eighties. Mostly, though, he loved his family and friends. He was generous to a fault and loved to give people produce from his garden, fruit from his trees, and the gift of his ability and inclination to work.
Orvil was preceded in death by his nine siblings; his wife, Arlene; and a dear granddaughter, Karla Downs. He is survived by his two children, Jolene (James) Downs, and Roger (Sheri) Terry; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Orvil’s family expresses appreciation to the numerous friends and neighbors who made his life meaningful and to the caregivers who assisted him in his final years.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd, Ogden, and an hour prior to the funeral service, which will take place on at 11:00 on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Ben Lomond 9th Ward meetinghouse, 575 East 3100 North, North Ogden. The service will live streamed and can be watched on Orvil’s obituary page at www.myers-mortuary.com the day of the service and will remain on his obituary page indefinitely.
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Published by Myers Mortuary on Sep. 17, 2022.
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