Frank Reid Berry

Frank Reid Berry, devout Christian, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones on March 2nd, 2025. Frank was born July 24th in Weston, West Virginia to David and Magdalene Berry and was the second oldest of 5 children. He left Weston to attend college at Oklahoma State University, where he met his future wife, Diana, on a blind date, which he would often say was a date that lasted 57 years. Diana was widowed with 2 young girls, Sherri and Debbie, at the time they met. They married in October 1962 and had 3 more children, Kim, Scott, and Mike between 1964 and 1971.

After college Frank moved with his wife and new family back to rural West Virginia where he worked driving heavy trucks and maintaining equipment in the fields. He soon realized that he didn’t much like keeping the equipment thawed and operating during the long, freezing nights and decided to follow his wife’s idea to move back west of the Mississippi. They moved back to Oklahoma for a short period, then down to Dallas where, in 1964, Frank started working with The Aetna Insurance Company. Over the next 7 years, with the loving support of his wife and family, they moved through the country as he advanced through his career. In 1971 Frank left The Aetna and started working for retail agencies in San Antonio, and Alice, Texas. In 1976 Frank had an opportunity to join a new startup wholesale insurance agency located in Austin, Texas called Specialty Insurance Managers, Inc., which he did. Shortly after joining, the family made a final move from San Antonio to Austin where he and Diana proceeded to take over full control of the company and build a business that is still thriving, operating in 6 states with more than 40 employees. Two of Frank's children continue to run the company today.

He was a kind, generous man who took great joy in helping others, especially the less fortunate. He took the opportunities afforded to him by building that company and passed it forward often. Despite being legally blind for most of his life, rarely had a bad day and would always have something witty to say. He will be missed dearly. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Diana, son Scott, brother Ken Berry, sister Carol Ann Waide and is survived by his brother Dave Berry and sister Janice Orr, 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, Texas on Saturday, March 15th at 1:00 pm. Frank was an avid supporter of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Meals on Wheels, and Daily Living with Father Chapin (YouTube Channel). Donations can be made to these in lieu of floral arrangements.