By: Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP - As a teenager, Arvin R. Terry worked to support his family during the Depression. Later, he enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II, where he was a sergeant in General Patton's 3rd Army Corps.

Wounded in the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, he earned two Bronze Stars for his efforts.

He established his career in the foundry business, eventually running his own agency.

Mr. Terry died Wednesday at Veterans Administration Hospital of complications from pneumonia. The Colerain Township resident was 86.

In 1935, Mr. Terry began working as a shipping clerk for Peerless Foundry in Elmwood Place.

He left the company in February 1942 to serve in World War II. After being injured, he was reassigned to the Pentagon, where he served until being honorably discharged in 1945.

When Mr. Terry returned to Cincinnati, he resumed his work at Peerless Foundry and worked his way up to salesman.

When the company closed in 1960, he started his own business, through which he represented as many as 16 foundries.

"His success in the foundry business was in large part due to the fact that his customers all became personal friends," said his son-in-law, John O. Graves of Mariemont. "He had such a sense of humor - very gregarious - he never met a stranger."

In 1986, Mr. Terry moved to Fort Myers, Fla., but maintained close relations with his clients in Cincinnati. Because of his willingness to help, he never officially retired from his job as a manufacturer's representative.

About four years ago, he returned to Cincinnati.

Mr. Terry took several metallurgy classes at the University of Cincinnati.

An avid golfer, he started working as a caddy in 1926 at Maketewah Country Club in Bond Hill.

Mr. Terry was a member of the Elmwood Post 1042 of the VFW and played in their national fast-pitch softball league, winning the national championship in 1946.

He was also a member of the American Legion and the 7th Armored Division Association.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Ruth Wanger Terry of Colerain Township; a daughter, Maureen Terry Graves of Mariemont; a brother, Jack Terry of Hartwell; a sister, Betty Jean Chamberlin of West Chester; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Carthage.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 7754 Montgomery Road, Kenwood.

Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Orphanage, 5400 Edalbert Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45239, or to American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com