Allen Terry Irwin was born on December 8, 1937, to Allen Leroy Irwin and Goldie Marie (Richey) Irwin, in Hartford, Connecticut. He was mostly known as Terry, as his father went by Allen.

Terry’s father was a Congregational Minister which took them from parish to parish in the Mid-west, as well as a Chaplain in the Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. This moved the family of 4, now with little sister Anne, almost as many times as there are grades in school. After his service in Korea, Terry’s parents studied to become Missionaries in Japan where his father would teach Bible Studies, and theology, his mother would teach office skills to young women, and both would teach English. This was a big move for them all and a time most fondly remembered. Terry finished high school there at Yokohama High and started his early college career at Sophia University, Tokyo. Terry later studied at MIT and UCONN. Terry’s love of the humanities and his ROTC study of historic battle strategies led him to a degree in History, and an early career in the Army.

While at UCONN Terry and Dana Middleton met and fell in love. They were engaged before he graduated a year ahead of Dana and began his service in the US Army. He was deployed to Germany as part of an Armored Division Tank Platoon command, returning to marry on April 22, 1961. Dana joined him in Nürnberg and in October 1962, their first child Carolyn was born. They returned to the US in 1963, to Fort Knox, KY where daughter Cathy was born in 1964. Terry was next deployed to Korea as an Operations Officer of a Cavalry Squadron, while they were expecting their third child. Dana and girls moved to be closer to family in Greenwich, CT, for the birth of their son David, in 1966. When Terry returned, it was back to Ft Knox as a special weapons instructor for the Armor School. He completed his service in 1968, and the family moved to Los Angeles, CA where he started his career as a software systems engineer for Science Development Corporation and earned his master’s degree in systems engineering from West Coast University. St. John’s Presbyterian Church became part of their new roots. They were all, for the first time, living in the same place as many members from both sides of the family and enjoyed the bonds proximity builds, which they would cherish always.

In 1972, Terry’s work took them to Ft. Monmouth New Jersey. They lived in Brick Town and attended Pt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. Terry & Dana both sang in the choir and served as the Sr. High Youth Group Advisors. The family enjoyed camping vacations, setting up a base camp for a week and making day trips around different parts of the Northeast

In 1978 Terry’s company moved him to Winter Park, Florida to establish their Central Florida office, near what was then the Navy Base, to work more easily on SDC’s training and defense contracts, and then with SAIC until he retired. Winter Park became the place Terry lived longer than all his other homes combined. Winter Park Presbyterian became their Florida Church home. Terry and Dana sang in the Chancel Choir and joined the Seekers Sunday School Class. Terry’s passion for history, theological studies, and exchange of thought led him to participate as one of the weekly leaders of the class. He became more and more involved with the life of the church, and over the almost 50 years of his membership at WPPC served with the CE, History, Clock, and Property Committees, and as an Elder and Clerk of Session, a Trustee, Pre-School Board Member, Pre-School Chapel-time Audiovisual Tech, VBS Storyteller, and Living Nativity Shepherd. He was a perpetual student and a natural born teacher. The phrase commonly heard around the dinner table, regardless of the topic, was, “I studied it in school.”

Terry enjoyed reading, building model railroads, reading, woodworking, reading, classical music/opera, reading, movies, and reading. He was a Ham radio operator, avid flight

simulator pilot, and science fiction fan. He played the clarinet in High School and recorder duets with Dana. He enjoyed fencing, photography, and creating digital documentaries of their 40+ cruises. Through it all, he never missed an opportunity for a good pun…or a moment of being a devoted and loving husband, awesome dad, protective brother, sweet uncle, and a proud Papa.

Terry was rejoined with his dear Dana in Heaven on July 7th, 2026, at the age of 88. He is also preceded in death by his sister Anne Marie (Irwin) McCullough 1997, his son David Allen Irwin 2024, and his nephew James McCullough. He is survived by daughters Carolyn Marie Boyle of Orlando, FL, Catherine Elizabeth Glinski of Port Orchard, WA, and their spouses Andrew Boyle and Bill Glinski; grandchildren, Caitlyn Glinski, Devlin Irwin, Brian Glinski, Patrick Boyle, Ferris Irwin, Ryan Irwin, Stephen Boyle, daughter-in-Law Lori Irwin, niece Laura McCullough, and much-loved brother- & sister-in-law Carl and Salli Middleton with their children and grandchildren, Terry & Dana’s nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Winter Park Presbyterian Church, or United Arts of Central Florida.