06/02/2026
Please join the Oakville Chamber of Commerce in recognizing our 2026 Oakville Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal, Don Terry!
You are most likely to know Don from his work as the City of Oakville’s Building Official for the last 30 years, and the Chehalis Tribe’s Building Official for 18 years. After a career of service to the Oakville community Don retired in April, so we are taking this opportunity to see him out in style.
Don was born in Centralia, attended grade school in Rochester and graduated from Lake Quinault High school. Before graduating he spent his summers working with his father cruising old growth timber and laying out logging roads.
Don is a Vietnam Era Veteran having served honorably aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway as a Gunners Mate. After service he married his high school sweetheart, Gail. Don supported his family working in the woods for a few years. Don and Gail moved their family to Oakville in 1981, where their 3 kids completed their schooling. The Terrys have been married 50 years and have 12 Grand Children.
Don spent 14 years as a General Contractor engaging in commercial and residential projects around Washington. In 1994 he contracted with the City of Oakville as their part time Building Official, and in 2006 Don was hired full-time by the Chehalis Tribe as their Building Official where he worked on several projects in Grand Mound, Tumwater and on the Chehalis Reservation.
In his spare time, Don enjoys camping, spending time with his grandkids, woodworking, tinkering with his old classic cars, clam digging and beach combing.
Don will be heading up the Oakville Independence Day Parade on Saturday, June 27th at 11 AM! If you would like to join him, there is still time to register your parade entry at https://pci.jotform.com/form/260856066621156 or email [email protected].
