Larry Earl Terry, age 87, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.
Born on April 11, 1939, in Burlington, Vt., to the late Myrtle (Davis) and Earl Terry, Larry grew up exploring Burlington and the Champlain Islands — places he cherished throughout his life.
Larry served in the U.S. Naval Reserve prior to graduating from Burlington High School in 1957. Later that year, he joined the U.S. Army, beginning a journey that allowed him to see parts of the country far from home. After initial training at Fort Dix, N.J., he moved on to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., where he completed the U.S. Army Finance School. His service then carried him to Alaska for 18 months at Fort Richardson and Fort Greely before he finished his military duty at Fort Sill, Okla., in 1960. Upon returning to Vermont, Larry pursued his education and graduated from Champlain College in 1963.
Hired in 1964, Larry spent his career working as an accountant for IBM in Essex Junction. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Larry. They married on May 6, 1967, in Burlington and began their married life in Colchester, later settling in Essex Junction, where they built a life filled with devotion and laughter, raised two beloved daughters, and shared 52 beautiful years before her passing in 2019.
True to his profession, Larry was known for his financial savvy and his love of getting a good deal — skills he put to excellent use running garage sales. He loved recalling stories from his childhood in Burlington and the Champlain Islands, his time in the military, and his years at IBM. He enjoyed nostalgic drives through the islands; reading cowboy westerns and crime thrillers; taking casino bus trips with his sister, Audrey; and watching everything from old movies and home improvement shows to Hallmark Christmas specials. If you ever wondered when “Hallmark Christmas in July” began, Larry was the one to call.
Larry had a fantastic sense of humor and firmly believed that you should approach life with humor and take one day at a time. He will be remembered not only for being independent and stubborn, but for his quiet determination, generosity, love and kindness. He enjoyed celebrating the accomplishments of his daughters and grandsons and was always ready to provide guidance to those he loved — a trait his family will fondly remember, as his advice was almost always preceded by his signature phrase, “What you should do is…”
Larry is survived by his two devoted daughters, Anne Marie (Bill) Campbell and Sarah (Wade) Johnson; his two cherished grandsons, James and Thomas Campbell; and his sister, Audrey Terry (Dick) Campbell. He also leaves behind several cousins, who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beth.
The family will hold a private burial and a celebration of Larry’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the McClure Miller Respite House.