James Robert Terry

James “Jim” Robert Terry was born on March 27, 1938 in Passaic, NJ and passed away on December 1, 2024 in Tucson, AZ at the age of 86. He was the oldest of three sons (Robert and Craig) to James and Mary Terry of Clifton, NJ.

After graduating in 1955 from Rutherford High School in Rutherford, NJ, Jim studied engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology and was in ROTC. Upon graduation from Stevens in 1959, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. Just days before starting pilot training, he married his sweetheart Lois Bulaga on Oct 3, 1959 in Mariana, FL (they eloped!).

From 1959 to 1984, Jim flew B-47s, B-52s and U-2s. During 1968 and 1969 in Southeast Asia, he flew 189 “Arc Light” B-52 combat missions in 15 months. He flew a total of 1535 hours in the U-2 all over the world including 95 missions over Southeast Asia alone. Jim retired from the Air Force as a Colonel with 25 years of service and just over 6000 hours of total flight time. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal, among other awards.

Jim then worked for 18 years at FlightSafety International in Tucson as a Learjet simulator pilot instructor and FAA check airman. He was a very serious restorer of old Ford V8 cars and restored seven total. His time was also spent enjoying life, family, and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lois. He is survived by his children, Jim (Karen) Terry, Chris Terry, Laura (Mike) DiChristofano; and his two grandsons, Nick and Tony DiChristofano.

Jim will receive military honors and be inurned at East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ, on January 11, 2025 at 11 am.