Gregory Keith DeBerry “Spooner,” of Guthrie, Missouri passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia, Missouri. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. that same day, followed by burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Greg was born in Columbia, Missouri on November 14, 1951 to the late Kenneth DeBerry and Norma (Noel) DeBerry. In July of 1975, he married Barbara Simon in the caves of Jasper, Arkansas. The following year, his only child, Reyanna, was born. She meant the world to him. In 1998 he met Linda Cochran with whom he shared his remaining years.
Greg was a well-known local Blues musician, a drummer, known to the blues community as “Spooner.” He had a great double shuffle and played with “The Jukes” for many years and at the end of his music career, played with “Pennsylvania Slim.” He had many great jam sessions at “The Shack” and mentored fellow musicians at “The Blues Emporium.” He lived and breathed the Blues.
In Greg’s earlier years, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Later in life, he worked as a cook at The Hub Café in Ashland and Rosie’s Diner in Holts Summit. Most recently, he was employed at Oak Tree Villas as the Transporter. He adored his coworkers and all of the residents there.
Greg was an avid collector of classic Mustangs and old porcelain & steel gas and oil signs. He loved the St Louis Cardinals and even attended the 2006 World Series. He loved his family dearly and was proud to be called Grandpa Spoony by his two grandsons. One of their favorite things to do together was to throw rocks in his pond.
Greg is survived by his mother, Norma DeBerry; one daughter, Reyanna (DeBerry) Vosberg and her husband Frank; his grandchildren, Jaycob and Peter Vosberg; “daughters” Sara Logan and Alyson de Lange from his previous marriage to Barbara; his significant other, Linda Cochran and her two sons, Ryan Cochran and William “Joey” Cochran. Greg is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth DeBerry.
He will be missed dearly and will forever remain in our hearts.
“Keep on winkin’ Lil Sis!”
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blues in the Schools at missouribits.org
