Melvin was born in St. George, Utah, the son of Jed M. Terry and Clara Woods. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Melva Levanger;sister, Clara Joyce Brown;daughter, Jeanette Stewart;and sons, Steven, Melvin, Terry and Raymond Lavanger Terry. He has 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Melvin served his country in World War II, seamen first-class in the U.S. Navy Submarine services. He worked for many years at Nevada Rock and Sand and retired from road maintenance in the city of North Las Vegas. He was a member of Christy Meadows Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.