ROBERT LEAKE TERRY III

08/23/1936 - 02/15/2023

Robert “Rob” Leake Terry III left to reunite with his beloved daughter, Sommer, on Wednesday, February 15th, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 86.

Affectionately nicknamed “Romeo Rob” in high school, Rob grew up in Houston amongst seven siblings. He attended Lamar High School before receiving a football scholarship to The Kinkaid School, where he was the star quarterback and “always loved a party.” He then attended The University of Texas at Austin and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Rob loved deep-fried Southern food cooked by his spectacular in-house chef (his wife Ruth), blueberry pie, Two and a Half Men, and a good ole Rum Punch. Not necessarily in that order.

Rob will be remembered for being a phenomenal father, grandfather, husband, and loyal friend to many. His witty sense of humor, hearty laugh and boundless compassion resulted in a life of immense achievement, adventure, and most importantly, love.

Beginning his entrepreneurial journey in the mortgage business, Rob was a consummate dreamer and a doer. Dabbling in the restaurant & bar industry, (including Houston’s famous Sam’s Place), oil & gas, Houston Shoe Hospital franchises, along with multiple toy inventions and several patents to his name, the man was an inspiration. He loved taking on a professional adventure. In some of his last conversations, at the age of 86, he remarked, with full conviction, that he “still [had] so much to do.”

A genuine thrill-seeker, Rob enjoyed flying his single-engine back in the day, playing golf, Astros baseball, lunching with his best friends and traveling with family, particularly to the beaches of Mexico. During one of his fishing trips to Port O’Connor, he won the 42nd Annual Texas International Fishing Tournament, with a 668-pound blue marlin, a point of great pride and luck in Rob’s life.

“Daddy Rob’s” door was always open, his ears always ready to listen, his phone always on (though he couldn’t always find it), for those he loved.

Rob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruth Terry; children Allison Terry, Travis Terry, Shannan Terry and Starla Terry; grandchildren Bailey Brown, Andie Brown, Reagan Terry, Riley Terry, Owen Terry, and Harper Terry; sisters Dottie Rucker and husband Ray, Susan

Craft and husband Milt, and Kit Cassidy. The family plans to hold a private service to celebrate his life.