Paul Terry, a longtime head football coach at Carroll High School, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the age of 89.
The legendary high school head coach Paul Terry died in Ozark, Alabama, after an extended illness.
The late Paul began his sports career at Decatur High School, where he earned Varsity letters in football and basketball.
After his graduation in 1957, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL offered him the opportunity to play professionally, but Paul decided to begin his coaching journey.
Paul was the longest-tenured head football coach at Carroll High School, leading the team for over 12 years from 1979 to 1991.
Similarly, he is one of the only two coaches in Carroll’s football history to win two Region Championships.
The whole Carroll High School community mourns the loss of their legendary coach.
Carroll High School took to its official Facebook page to pay tribute to its former Head Coach and extend its condolences to his family.
They wrote,
“🦅❤️Carroll High School Athletics Would Like To Extend Our Condolences To The Family Of Coach Paul Terry. 🏈Head Football At Carroll High School From 1979-1991. 🦅❤️”
Carroll High School Athletics
During his tenure at Carroll High, Paul led his team to 72 wins, more than any other Coach to lead the Eagles.
Likewise, Coach Terry had 198 career wins as the head coach of several High Schools.
Under his leadership, the 1989 Carroll Eagles team made it to the State Semifinals, farther than any Carroll football team in the Alabama High School Athletic Association State Football playoffs.
He began his head coaching career at Enterprise High School at 26 and served his position from 1961 to 1973, achieving an 86-32-2 record.
Terry was inducted into the AHSAA, Morgan County, and Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame for his exceptional coaching skills.
His contribution to the sports field as an amazing coach in Alabama will always be remembered.
Paul Terry was preceded in death by his longtime wife, Harriett
Paul Edwin Terry Sr. has reunited in death with his longtime wife, Harriett Tillman Terry, who passed away on October 30, 2015, at the age of 78 after an extended illness.
His wife, Harriett, earned her master’s in education degree from Troy University and taught in the Enterprise and Ozark school systems for years.
Moreover, Paul and his wife first met while attending Auburn University, where Paul played offensive and defensive tackle for the men’s football team.
The couple is survived by their three children: son Paul Terry Jr., daughter Vicki Terry Stayton (Jeff), and Karren Terry Lewis (Fred).
In addition to their children, left to cherish the life of Paul Terry and his beloved wife Harriett are their grandchildren, Derek Lewis (Betsy), Rachel Stayton Ryken (Curtis), Jessica Stayton (Erik), and Lynsi Lewis Kaner (Will).
Their son Paul Terry Jr. has been the CEO of Emory Enterprises in Ozark, Alabama, since January 2009.
Before that, he worked as a Technical analyst at Radiant Systems, a Project Manager at BP, and a sales specialist at Apple Computer.
Moreover, Paul Jr. attended Enterprise High School and earned his bachelor’s in science with a major in computer and information systems from his parents’ alma mater, Auburn University, in 1983.
He also has a bachelor of computer science and mathematics degree from Troy University.
Their daughter, Karren Terry Lewis, has been a Coldwell Banker Prestige Homes realtor for over 21 years. Like her brother, she attended Enterprise High School.
Furthermore, Karren took to social media to share her sadness over her father’s passing.
She wrote,
“It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our beloved father, Coach Paul Terry. After fighting lengthy illnesses over the last 7 years, he joined our precious mother in heaven yesterday afternoon.”
Karren Terry Lewis
Very little information about their other daughter, Vicki Stayton, is available as she prefers to maintain a low profile.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Paul Terry’s funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in The Chapel at Searcy Funeral Home in Enterprise, Alabama.
- The graveside service will be limited to immediate family members. Terry’s family has requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the COPD Foundation or the American Lung Association in Paul’s memory.
- Paul Terry was born on August 16, 1935, in the Pinhook Community of Wren, Alabama, and grew up in Decatur.
