Frank W. Terry, publicist and Bradley campaign strategist, dies at 91

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Frank W. Terry, a longtime public relations manager and a campaign strategist for Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley who later served on the city’s library commission, died May 29 of natural causes at Kaiser West Los Angeles Medical Center. He was 91.

In 1962, Terry coordinated an attempted recall of City Councilman Joe E. Hollingsworth in an effort to replace him with Bradley. Hollingsworth had been appointed to fill a vacancy in the 10th district. Bradley, who was then working as an attorney after having served with the Los Angeles Police Department, was championed by recall leaders. Although the recall failed when Bradley’s supporters fell short of the required number of petition signatures, the effort paved the way for his election to the city council a year later. In 1973 Bradley was elected the city’s first black mayor.

Bradley appointed Terry to the L.A. Board of Library Commissioners in 1978, and he served until 1993, with two terms as the board’s president.

Terry had a long public relations career and served as regional public affairs officer for the U.S. Department of Labor and the Veterans Administration. He retired in 1989.

Terry was born Jan. 23, 1919, in Los Angeles. His father, Woodford, was a contractor and his mother, Jessie, was a political activist who was appointed the first black member of the Los Angeles Housing Commission.

He served in the Army during World War II in Burma, India and China and after returning home in 1945 attended Los Angeles City College.

Terry is survived by his third wife, Evelyn; his son, Mike; his stepchildren Charles Love, Susan Jones and Olivia Fallaria; adopted children Yugeswar Terry, Mohana Terry and Jagannath Terry; one grandchild and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at Angelus Funeral Home, 3875 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made in Terry’s name to the American Diabetes Assn.,

on the Web at www.Diabetes.org; or by phone at (800) 342-2383. -- Claire Noland