Mr. James A. Terry, 70, of Elkhart, passed away following an accident trimming trees in Michigan on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:48 am. He was born in Kiser, Arkansas on November 11, 1954 to the late Edwin and Helen Marie (Howard) Terry. James later married Cheryl A. "Sherry" (Shafer) in Elkhart in 1996. She survives at home after 28 wonderful years together.

Along with his sweetheart Sherry, James is survived by his son Shane A. (Jessica) Shafer of Elkhart; his daughters Dawn M. (Josh) Proffitt of Bristol and Heather K. Schuh of Shipshewana; his brother William G. Reed of Auburndale, Florida; sisters Shirley Wheeler of Winterhaven, Florida, Joanie (Elmer) Quigg of Warner Robins, Georgia and Patricia Evans of Bartow, Florida and grandchildren Crystal Murillo, Roger Snead, Kyle Snead, Sara Sutherland and Shane Shafer, Jr., all of Elkhart, Brittany Bahr and Bryan Schuh, both of Shipshewana, and Bradley Schuh of Ft. Wayne. Additionally, James will be remembered by a host of extended family and good friends, including his nephew Caleb Shafer, whom he treated like his own son.  Besides his parents, James is preceded in death by siblings Edwin, Robert and Dwayne Terry and Mary Jane Terry, along with a son-in-law, Jeremy Schuh.

In accordance with James' wishes, a brief graveside service will be held at Rice Cemetery on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 2:55 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services have been assisting the family with arrangements.

James worked as an accomplished cabinetmaker and woodworker for the RV industry in the Michiana area for the majority of his adult life. He was also an avid race car driver and spent the majority of his time down at the New Paris Speedway and at Mottville when it was still open. He could race just about anything that they could get going down that track and he developed quite the reputation that he'd give anyone a run for their money.

He also very enthusiastically loved to collect junk and scrap metal and then tear it apart for money. He also loved to watch NASCAR and old TV Westerns like Gunsmoke, Laredo and The Rifleman, as well as Sanford and Son and Tom and Jerry cartoons, which he'd watch with his late buddy "Baby Girl" the Chihuahua perched on his lap.

Memorial donations may be given to the family in care of his wife, Sherry.