Terry McCorvie's Life Remembered

Terry W. McCorvie’s successful and varied life included broadcast news, Senior Disney publicist, innovative business entrepreneur, savvy marketer, as well as outstanding community servant. He aways said, “I’m not great at anything, but I’m good at a lot of stuff.” Long-time Southwest Orlando resident Terry W. McCorvie (72) passed away on April 20, 2024, at home with family by his side. His life focused on family, serving/loving others, and making a difference. He absolutely loved apple pie, pastries, and Chick-fil-A!

Early Life and Career

Terry was born in Danville, Illinois and moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana while in grade school. He graduated from Jeffersonville HS and Ball State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism and speech while on a full academic scholarship. While in college he excelled on the intercollegiate college speech team. Terry was “bitten by the theater bug” and performed in several musicals in high school and at the Steamboat Cabin Players in Jeffersonville. He continued that passion by enjoying musicals in many cities, especially Broadway.

Terry’s early career was spent in broadcast news, both radio and television in Terre Haute, IN and Tampa, FL. In 1981 Terry joined Walt Disney World as a Senior Publicist, focusing on radio and television publicity. One of his more notable projects was the 50th Anniversary of Donald Duck where 50 ducks joined Donald in the daily trek down Main Street USA. He was named Manager of Epcot publicity office when the park opened in 1982. Subsequent marketing positions were held at Sperry Univac, Epcot Computer Central and Marketing Director for Grand Cypress Resort. In 1987, his career took a major shift when he was hired as VP of Business Development for West Orange Memorial Hospital in Winter Garden to work with others to pave the way for Health Central Hospital. Some of the hospitality and design components were gleaned from Disney and Grand Cypress.

In 1994, Terry became Executive Director of the new health initiative, the Community Health Purchasing Alliance (CHPA). Along the way, Terry formed Workable Solutions Inc, which managed several CHPA regions and purchasing alliances in several states. They also landed numerous NYC clients. After the September 11 tragedy, Workable Solutions was selected to administer the payment of insurance premiums for hundreds of surviving family members. In 2013 the company was sold to a Boston company and Terry retired. He then formed Select Projects Consulting, to conduct strategic planning and marketing efforts for some of his former competitors! He was a trailblazer and earned several awards from industry groups for innovation. He proudly served as Chairman for many organizations, including Shepherd’s Hope and was always a popular speaker at annual industry conferences.

Family and Faith

After retirement Terry and Kathleen made world-travel a major indulgence, even after his gastric cancer diagnosis in 2019. All totaled their adventures took them to 46 countries including China, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Galapagos Islands, Europe and multiple US locations. Terry refused to let his cancer stop him and their travel during the pandemic was some of the most meaningful they experienced.

Terry was a quiet, caring person who had a voracious appetite for the news and current events. He was a true friend who listened. He loved to laugh and admitted he had a “corn ball” sense of humor. Terry cherished his family and was so proud to see his sons grow into such wonderful men. He deeply loved his wife of 49+ years.

In 2012, he attended the Walk to Emmaus, a weekend experience that provides a close encounter with Christ. The weekend had a profoundly positive impact, leading to many hours volunteering for Emmaus, even serving as Community Lay Director for Central Florida. For over three decades, he and his wife have been active members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. Terry is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen, two sons Ryan (Lisa), Oakland, CA and Scott (Orlando) and twin granddaughters, Vivian and Cecily. His siblings include Donna Staser, New Albany, IN, Dennis McCorvie (Jody), Hixson, TN and David McCorvie, Michigan City, IN. Other survivors include several cousins, 6 nieces, 6 nephews, 9 great-nieces and 11 great- nephews. Terry was predeceased by his parents, Wayne R. McCorvie and Ruby Meeker McCorvie.