John Berry

John Wise Berry was born to the late William Rufus and Vida Louise Berry in Dallas, TX and passed away March 7, 2014 in Desoto, TX. John grew up in Greenville, TX and graduated in 1958 from Greenville High School. In 1963, he received a BS degree from Stephen F. Austin State College, Nacogdoches, TX, where he majored in agriculture. In 1966, he received an MS in agriculture economics at East Texas State University, Commerce, TX after which he moved to Dallas, TX.

On December 1, 1967, he married Camille and became an immediate father to two daughters, Charla, age 9 and Michelle age 3. During this forty year marriage the family moved from Dallas to Abilene and Lubbock as the result of company transfers as a finance manager with Massey Ferguson Farm Equipment Co. From Lubbock, John moved the family to Ulysses, KS where he accepted the Finance Manager position with Ulysses Irrigation Pipe Company. After eight years in Ulysses, John and Camille moved to the Austin area where he joined the Texas Water Development Board from which he retired after 15 years of service. He was a proud and active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Both daughters kept John and Camille busy with their active sports and academic lives. John is survived by his loving step-daughters Charla Truesdale of Cedar Hill,TX and Michelle Hurt of The Woodlands, TX; four grandchildren Shenay, Callie, Brigit, and Brett; and eight great grandchildren Hannah, Jayson, Jude, Alani, Mya, Aiden,Stella and Tanner.

John loved to ride horses with his wife and his eldest great-granddaughter. He and Camille also enjoyed extensive world travel and being with their family. John loved country music, rodeos, and ice cold Shiner Bock.

Family visitation will be Monday evening from 6-8pm at Grove Hill Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at St. Anne Episcopal Church in Desoto, TX, with Rev. Oliver Butler officiating. Burial will take place at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.