Jim Berry was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on September 7, 1943. In 1944 the family moved to the good town of Gooding Idaho population 2500. Dad grew up with his two sisters, Dorothy Lee 12 yrs. older and Janet 1 year younger, who is here with us today all the way from Montana. He grew up on a farm where he learned the value of hard work raising cattle and growing Idaho potatoes. Dad had a tenacious work ethic however he was not very mechanically inclined; his idea of a hammer was the biggest crescent wrench he could find.
Dad was a good student, loved sports and played football and basketball and was the tuba player in band. He was Student Body President his senior year and graduated from high school in 1961. He then attended the University of Idaho and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and President his senior year. After graduating college in 1965, he became the Delta Tau Delta Field Secretary for a year traveling from campus to campus.
He then met Sherry Erwin while working in a bank in Portland, Oregon. Sherry told him stories of her family’s vacation cabin in Montana, little did he know it had a wood burning stove and was built in 1913. They got married in Bozeman Montana and then dad took a job with Armstrong Corp and moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was born in Lancaster in 1967 and 6 months later we moved to Seattle, Washington where Jason and Scott were born, and we lived there for 6 more years. Dad was transferred to Southern California and was given the National Accounts position. Not wanting to leave the west coast he left Armstrong after 12 years and went to work for LaVine Muffie for another 18 years. Dad finished his career as an independent sales rep. selling commercial ceiling systems.
When I ask myself what best describes my father, I would say it was his love, for his wife, family, and friends. If you asked Dad what the secret is to a happy marriage, he would gladly tell you, “two words, YES DEAR!”
My favorite memories growing up were for over 20 years, our summer family road trips to visit both sides of the family in Idaho and Montana. Just being in our grandparents’ homes were the best. Dad and Mom knew the value of this part of the country and that has been such an important influence on our lives. It is 1000 miles from our home to Big Sky Montana where we have so many memories at Island Park with our Idaho clan and Cave Creek cabin with the Erwin clan. Golfing, hiking, rafting, fly fishing and family reunions were the norm. The importance of grandparents and family was a priority for Mom and Dad. I will never forget the time we left the family dog, Champ, at the gas station along the 15 freeway. We didn’t realize it until an hour later and had to turn around to go get him. Dad was not very happy to put it mildly.
Dad’s devotion to us three was great but it paled in comparison to his love for his grandkids. He was at every soccer game, baseball, football, barrel racing, ice skating or cheerleading for Jake, Madi, Brooke, Aiden, Alfredo, and Sarah. His presence was just expected because he was so faithful and consistent. Family was everything for Grandpa Berry and he made that clear to all of us. He showed his love for each of us individually in unique ways, whether it was bringing us a home cooked meal in college, sweetly using our special nicknames, or showing up to school every year with a balloon on our birthday. One of the only things he loved almost as much as family was his sports. He watched every sport under the sun and especially loved watching the Lakers games. One of the very last moments I had with my dad was watching the Lakers kick Orlando’s butt with my two brothers. Just the four of us guys together on Dad’s last night was so special. His family, and a Lakers win, what could be better.
Dad’s faith in God was simple but strong. The greatest way we can truly represent God is through our faith in Jesus and our love for others. Jim Berry understood this to be true. During Dad’s last month, there were many answered prayers. Not that he was healed like so many times before, Heidi often said “that man as 9 lives, to which I would say yeah, and he is on number 27.” but that Dad had the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. He was gracious to the doctors, nurses and staff and in the last week Madison asked him if he liked his Doctor, to which he quickly replied “No!” with a smirk on his face. He was still making jokes at the very end which helped us all have peace in this difficult time.
Dad, thank you for everything. Your beautiful spirit is living on in all of us. We love and miss you very much.
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