Claire Terry

Surrounded by loving family, Claire Terry, 78, succumbed to breast cancer on August 27, 2022 at her home in Arlington, Texas.

“Smiley voice” started dispatching trucks for Klein volunteer fire department in 1975, moving on to fighting fires herself. She trained others in emergency response at Texas A&M Municipal Fire School, the largest live-fire training facility in the world. She also served with the Task Force on Recruiting Women and Minorities. Never content with the status quo, at 50 Claire earned her baccalaureate in political science with magna cum laude honors from the University of Texas at Arlington. She retired as Assistant Fire Marshall after 17 distinguished years with the Arlington Fire Department

After successfully raising her two daughters, Claire met the love of her life, Jeff Terry, in 1990 and committed to him and the challenge of upbringing two energetic boys. Together, Claire and Jeff made several life-long friends at Trinity United Methodist Church and Claire served on the building committee when the church decided to change locations.

Claire is survived by her cherished husband Jeff Terry of Arlington, Texas; loving sister, Elaine Kimzey; children Christine and Mike Langford, Catherine and Paul Zinn, Josh and Jenn Terry, Joe and Brittany Terry; as well as grandchildren Miles Jennings, Brian Langford, Jonathan Langford, Doug Zinn, Rowan Zinn, Megan Langford, Jessica Terry, Caleb Terry, Jordan Terry, and Haley Terry and Claire’s beloved cat, Mango.

The memorial will take place in the Vandergriff Chapel at the First United Methodist Church of Arlington at 10 am on Saturday, September 3, 2022. After the service, friends may visit with the family in Hagler Hall next door. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Susan G. Komen, an organization close to Claire’s heart.