James Watkins Berry, Sr., 89, of Summerville, SC, husband of Hazel Reed Lloyd Berry, peacefully passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mr. Berry was born May 5, 1922, in Birmingham, AL, son of the late Lyman Franklin Berry and Clarice Watkins Berry.  He graduated from Port Washington High School, Long Island, NY, in 1940.  In 1942 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served as gunnery instructor, flight engineer, and bombardier on B-26 aircraft in the European theater until 1945.  He received the Presidential Unit Citation as well as the Air Medal plus 6-oak leaf clusters.  After the war he attended Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, and the University of Oklahoma majoring in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Berry was employed by Lockheed-Georgia Company in Marietta, GA, for 18 years, serving in a number of positions, including engineering planning coordinator for nuclear reactor manufacturing.  He was transferred to Charleston in 1963 as administrative service supervisor and in 1964 was promoted to plant manager.  Later he worked for Avco Lycoming, was vice president of Environmental Systems Development Corporation, and purchasing manager for American Development Corporation.

Mr. Berry was active in church work, both in Atlanta at St. Anne’s and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Summerville as a Sunday school teacher and a member of the vestry.  He also served as president of Toastmasters Club, on the board of directors of the American Red Cross Chapter, board member for Timrod Library, volunteer for Junior Achievement, member of the executive committee of Charleston Manufacturers Club, Summerville Preservation Society, and Kiwanis Club.

Mr. Berry enjoyed woodworking, building, reading, gardening, and lending a hand to any friend in need.  He always had a story to tell and a joke to share.  He enjoyed volunteering at Drayton Hall, managing the grounds at Timrod Library, Summerville Meals on Wheels, and the Second Chance Shop.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He will be deeply missed by his wife Hazel Reed of 61 years; son James Watkins Berry, Jr. and wife Beth of Summerville; daughter Pamela Reed Berry-Kacpura and husband John of James Island; and son Christopher Lloyd Berry, Sr. and wife Rita of Summerville; and grandchildren James III (Tripp) and Cathryn Berry, Savannah Reed Kacpura, and Christopher Jr. and Hannah Berry.  His brother David Franklin Berry and sister Clarice Berry Finlay preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 316 West Carolina Avenue, Summerville, on Saturday, November 19, 1 pm.  The family will have a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Berry’s honor to Meals on Wheels of Summerville, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Timrod Library, the SC Palmetto Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, or The Presbyterian Village of Summerville.

Arrangements by Parks Funeral Home, Inc., 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483.

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