Raymond Terry III, a longtime resident of Orange Beach, Alabama, passed away on September 28, 2026. Ray was a fun-loving, generous, and highly respected man who built a remarkable career, formed lifelong friendships, and brought laughter and warmth to everyone around him.

Ray graduated from Biloxi High School and earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. His successful career that followed in the hospitality industry was an accomplishment that complemented his natural leadership abilities.

His hospitality career began in Biloxi, Mississippi, when his mother, Josephine Terry, “strongly encouraged” him to apply for a bellhop position at a local hotel. He got the job, and that first step launched an extraordinary career. Ray often shared “Everything I needed to know about the hotel business, I learned as a bellhop at the Biloxi Ramada Inn”. He worked his way from bellhop to president of a company which managed nearly 100 hotels.

After retiring at age 50, Ray began a second career as a hospitality consultant. He founded and operated his own successful consulting firm for approximately 25 years before retiring for the second time in 2024 at 75 years old.

Ray was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was truly proud of his family and treasured the time he spent with each of them. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his sons, Jason and Corbin (Melanie); his brother, David (Janet); and his grandchildren, Addison, Hayden, and Isabella. He was predeceased by his parents, Raymond, Jr. and Josephine Terry and his first wife, Ginger, the mother of their two sons.

An avid and excellent fisherman, Ray fished his entire life. He especially loved fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with Beverly and his friends, where they would haul in the snapper. Being on the water was one of his greatest pleasures.

Ray loved to travel. He and Beverly took many fabulous trips, including trips to Cuba, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas, Canada, Italy and several other places.

Ray was a passionate sports fan. His mother’s Boston roots helped make him a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. For his first wedding anniversary with Beverly, Ray toured Fenway Park and was allowed inside the Green Monster, where he had the rare opportunity to sign his name on the wall. He was an equally devoted LSU football and New Orleans Saints fan. Ray reluctantly became an Alabama football “fan” after meeting Beverly.

Ray also had a special connection to Orange Beach. Terry Cove was named after his great-grandfather, George Terry, making Ray’s family history part of the community he called home for so many years.

Ray was a faithful supporter of the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Ray leaves behind a legacy of professional success, family, friendship, laughter, and countless memories. He had friends throughout the United States and possessed a rare ability to make people feel comfortable and welcome.

Ray will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.

Fair winds, Ray. May your next fishing trip have calm seas, a full ice chest, and plenty of snapper.