Donald Prescott Loker, also known as Don Terry, was a multi-talented individual who left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment and beyond.
Born on August 8, 1902, Don was an adventurer at heart, with a strong Old English heritage. His early life was marked by a sense of restlessness, as he enlisted in the Marines as a teenager, only to be honorably discharged less than a year later due to a disability.
Undeterred, Don attended Harvard University, where he excelled in sports, playing freshman football, basketball, and baseball, while working in coal yards to pay his tuition. He later joined the Reading Keys in the International Baseball League, played professional football, and even boxed under the name "Bobbie Dinsmore".
His wanderlust took him to Hollywood, where he discovered a passion for movie-making. Adopting the stage name Don Terry, he began landing small roles, gradually building a reputation as a stalwart action hero. His first serial, "The Secret of Treasure Island" (1938),marked the beginning of a successful career in the early days of cinema.
Universal Studios took notice of his work and signed him up in 1941, cementing his status as one of the most popular serial players of the early 1940s. His iconic role as Don Winslow, a hard-nosed reporter, in "The Secret of Treasure Island" (1938) and later as the titular character in "Don Winslow of the Navy" (1942) and "Don Winslow of the Coast Guard" (1943),showcased his gritty determination and sense of purpose, thrilling audiences during the war years.
Don's dedication to his craft was matched only by his patriotism. In 1941, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Pacific. He was awarded the Purple Heart in 1944 and left the service in 1946, after which he turned his attention to business ventures.
In his personal life, Don was married twice and became a noted philanthropist in later years. He passed away on January 19, 1988, in Oceanside, California, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.
