Howard Terry

Howard Peter Terry, 89, beloved husband, father and friend, passed peacefully from this world on July 28, 2005, in his Kalispell home.

He was born March 26, 1916, in Everett, Mass., to Peter and Esther (Johnson) Terry.

Pete Terry was born to a musical family. His mother was an accomplished pianist. His father performed in many Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the Boston area. As a high school musician, young Pete already had his own band and sat in at jazz sessions with visiting groups. Peter played the saxophone with the Company Brass at the Bigfork Inn for 14 years and was known widely for his warmth, humor and fine musicianship.

When World War II started, Pete was on the first army transport to leave for the Pacific front. In Guadalcanal, New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia, Sgt. Terry served as an army medic with the 101st Medical Regiment and formed his own army jazz band and provided much needed relief for the troops.

After the war, Pete returned statewide and dove enthusiastically into the music world. He played with Ray McKinnly and Miguelito Valdez, and during a short stint with the Bob Crosby Band he met his future wife, Ann Clark.

Pete and Ann married in the Los Angeles, Calif., area, where Pete studied and practiced his music. He became proficient in playing the flute, clarinet and bassoon. His versatility and dedication to his craft created a niche for Pete. His life was filled with recording dates, and television and movie work.

He played in such movies as Gigi, Singing in the Rain, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He worked on the Red Skelton and Danny Kaye shows and as a member of the NBC staff orchestra. He played for such shows as Rowen and Martin's Laugh-in, The Flip Wilson Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Andy Williams Show and many more. Besides working in the commercial and jazz mediums, Pete also played with a more classical saxophone group known as The West Coast Saxophone Quartet.

Pete and his wife moved to Whitefish in 1983. They built a home overlooking Whitefish Lake in 1984. He played occasionally in the Don Lawrence Orchestra and was a regular member of the Company Brass at the Bigfork Inn.

Pete is survived by his wife Ann Terry, of Kalispell; daughters Meg Terry, of San Diego, Calif., and Kay Lynn of Kalispell; and two grandchildren, Meca Lynn and Brian Holden.

Friends are invited to join the family members in celebration of Pete's life at a jam session at the Bigfork Inn on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The family suggests instead of flowers that contributions be sent to the Flathead Jazz Society, P.O. Box 2627, Kalispell MT 59901.