Sam Berry

Sam was born on August 31, 1931 in St. Petersburg, Florida to the late Clifton and Zelma Berry. He grew up in both St. Petersburg, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended the local schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and spent three years on active duty, gaining an honorable discharge.

Sam was a talented baseball player, drafted out of high school to the minor leagues. This was after many colleges offered him a full scholarship to play baseball for them, all of which he refused. Instead, he opted to play five years with two professional teams. Decades later he scouted for the Atlanta Braves. His love of baseball remained monumental through his son, Bob, and grandson, Grant, who both inherited the talent.

For his entire adult life Sam worked in sales, starting in the early 1950s until finally retiring at the age of 78 in 2009. A few of his employers were Lawnboy, Onan, and Jacobsen Turf Equipment. He spent the last 17 years of his work life with Shindaiwa, which provided many fond memories for him.

Another of his passions was reading. He loved books. All kinds. But especially thrillers. He looked forward to every new release from Lee Child, David Baldacci, and John Grisham. But his favorite thriller writer was his son, Steve.

For Sam family and the Atlanta Braves were most important. He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Jean, of Marietta; his children, Steve and Liz Berry of Golden Oak, Florida; Bob and Kim Berry of Marietta, Georgia; his grandchildren, Kathryn Bishop (Brian Bishop), Kevin Berry, Elizabeth Berry, Grant Berry, and Lyndsey Berry; his “bonus” grandchild, Eli Reinhardt; and his great-grandchildren Zachary, Alexander, and Isla.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Roswell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Roswell Funeral Home. Sam will be laid to rest in Green Lawn Cemetery. Bob Berry, Steve Berry, Alexander Bishop, Brian Bishop, Eli Reinhardt, Richard Hoerlein, James Basso, and Matthew Norton will serve as pallbearers, taking him, as he liked to say, to that “big ballpark in the sky.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roswellfuneralhome.com for the Berry family.