After attending public schools and business college, Terry worked in retail in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, where he also acted as president of the Fort Pierre Commercial Club along with managing the Fort Pierre National Bank.

[1] Terry was elected to the South Dakota Senate as a Republican in 1941 to represent the 29th district (Stanley County).

Terry was active within the South Dakota Masons, serving as Grand Master from 1944 to 1945.

He was buried at Scotty Phillips National Cemetery after a service at the masonic temple in Pierre.

[4] Upon his death, The Sioux Falls Argus-Leader lauded Terry's accomplishments, stating that his career "exemplified the best in American citizenship and the South Dakota way of life.".