Standout Hammond citizen Dennis Harold Terry passed away peacefully on the morning of November 1, 2018.

In his 66 years, Dennis committed to a lifetime of Hammond activism, first as a community organizer, then rising to numerous leadership positions in civic organizations and government.

He is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Christina (Jordan), stepson James (Julie), grandson Jamie and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Eunice and father James Terry, sister Joyce (David) Min, and brother James (Cathy) Terry.

Dennis was born February 5, 1952 in Brainerd, Minnesota, but grew up in Hammond after his family returned to their roots. Dennis graduated from Gavit high school, attended Hannover College and graduated from Purdue University. Beginning as a community organizer in the 1970s, Dennis was an early member of the Grand Calumet Task Force, and rose to become the Executive Director of the Hammond Community Corporation, during which he attended so many Hammond Redevelopment Commission meetings some mistook him for a board member. In the 1990s, after serving as president of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, Dennis became a Hammond Port Authority commissioner at the key time it was preparing the Hammond Marina for the advent of casino gaming. He then became Chief of Staff to Mayor Duane Dedelow Jr., and as such, played a key role in turning the old Bairstow Mountain slag dump into the world-class Lost Marsh Golf course. The decades have been filled with additional civic work, including at the Hammond Development Corporation, as President of Partners in Contracting, board member of the Hammond Community Foundation, Hammond Education Foundation, the Challenger Learning Center and others. In addition to his career in civic service, Dennis was a longtime member of First United Lutheran Church in Hammond. His talents for organization and ability to run a meeting were well utilized during his time as church council chairman, as well as helping reorganize the youth & family committee through a time of transition. Dennis enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing. Following his passion, he co-founded Team Bass of America, an Indiana fishing circuit. He took great pride in his biggest provable catch, a largemouth bass weighing in excess of seven pounds. A memorial service will be held at LaHayne Funeral Home 6955 Southeastern Ave, Hammond, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 with visitation starting at 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:30 AM. An inurnment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hammond Education Foundation, 41 Williams St, Hammond IN 46320. For further information regarding service, please contact LaHayne Funeral Home at 219/ 845-3600.