Terry Temple

Leland, NC - Terry Temple, age 91, of the Waterford Community, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023 at his home.

He was born in India on May 20, 1932 to British parents, Dorothy Gash and Jack Williams Temple when Terry’s father was in the Royal Air Force. At the age of 2, Terry and his family returned to England.

Terry attended school in England and lived in Wales during WWII. At the age of 15, he enlisted in the Boy’s Service of the Royal Air Force and was trained as a telegrapher and in morse code communications.

When his father retired in 1956, the family immigrated to Canada. Terry worked for a distributor of industrial safety equipment in Toronto and the owner saw Terry’s aptitude for sales. Terry was later offered a job in Florida at the recommendation of a manufacturer in the U.S. After moving to Atlanta, GA, Terry married Sara Nichols Temple on September 2, 1967. In 1973, Terry started his own manufacturer’s agency covering seven southeastern states. He became a U.S. citizen in 1981, was very patriotic and never missed voting, but he never forgot his British heritage.

In his younger years, Terry loved water sports including water polo, scuba diving and water skiing. When older, golf became his first love, playing and watching the major tournaments.

When nearing retirement (in 2000), Terry and Sara moved to Hampstead, NC and later to Leland, NC.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Peter Temple; and his sister, Patricia Cassels.

Terry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sara; sister-in-law, June Temple; niece, Anne Minosky (George) of Cambell River, BC; nephew, Jimmy Cassels (Leila) of Victoria, BC; nephews, Paul Temple (Joanne) and Kim Temple of England; a special niece, Sara Frances Cottingham; nephews, James Nichols (Amanda) and Paul Cottingham (Alex); sisters-in-law, Jana Cottingham (Bill), Fran Brock, Sue Ann Nichols (Jeff); brother-in-law, J.L. Nichols (Angie); and his beloved Maltese dog, Minnie.

Terry was a life-long Catholic and loved attending mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilmington, NC as long as he was able. Terry enjoyed being a member of the Knights of Columbus until he could no longer participate.

A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 9:00am with Father John McGee, OSFS. Burial will follow at 11:30am at Rockfish Memorial Cemetery, 6269 NC-41, Wallace, NC 28466. On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, there will be a gathering of friends and family at the Reserve Pavilion at Waterford, 1113 Sandy Beach Circle, Leland, NC 28451 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm to celebrate Terry’s life.

The family would like to thank Terry’s caregivers, Home Instead and Lower Cape Fear Life Care, for their compassionate and loving care. Memorials in Terry’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at www.iccwilm.org.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall above.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home – Wilmington

910-794-7171