Col. James Albert Jim Berry COLUMBIA – Col. James Albert Jim Berry, U.S. Army (Ret.), 81, died Friday, November 2, 2007, in Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, West Columbia. He was born May 3, 1925, in the Shandon neighborhood of Columbia and was the son of the late Effie Beach Berry and Pink Trotter Berry. He was the husband of Jane Goff Berry. He graduated from Dreher High School, attended the Citadel, graduated from the University of South Carolina and received an MBA from Syracuse University. Col. Berry retired from the U.S. Army in 1974, and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1933, where he served as Director of Admissions and Registrar. Col. Berry, who wanted to be a soldier even as a child, served with the occupation forces in Europe. After receiving his commission in the Regular Army, he attended various Ordnance Courses. He served in Korea and with an artillery unit in Japan. After returning from Japan, he attended the guided missile school at Redstone Arsenal and served on the staff as an instructor. After the Advanced Course at Aberdeen, Md., Col. Berry served a tour with the 4th Logistical Command in Verdun, France. Upon returning from France, he taught military science at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. After attending Command and General Staff School in Leavenworth, Kansas, he served a tour in Viet Nam at MACV. Upon his return he commanded a battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado, and then transferred to the Pentagon where he served as Chief of the Combat Branch. After Washington, he served as Director of Maintenance and Deputy CO of Tooele Army Depot in Tooele, Utah. Upon retirement in 1974, he served as Director of Admissions and Registrar for the USC School of Law until his retirement in 1993. Awards received include the Legion of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals. Not slowing down after retiring, he organized VFW Post 8701 in Lower Richland, serving as Post Commander. He volunteered with SCORE, an organization of retired executives giving advice to business owners, faithfully served the American Red Cross at Moncrief Hospital at Fort Jackson and was an ordained elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Col. Berry is survived by his wife of fifty years, Jane Goff Berry of Still Hopes; his beloved daughter, Martha Berry and her husband, Greg Michels, of Atlanta, Ga.; grandson, Edward Jude Michels and his wife, Mandy; great-grandchildren, Lucas and Jenna Michels of Beaufort; sister, Mary Berry Woodward of Columbia; and numerous nieces and nephews. A voracious reader, Col. Berry had a remarkable wealth of knowledge of history and especially loved military history. His dry wit and acerbic commentary on politics and life drew children and adults alike to his side during family gatherings, and his absence will be a tremendous void. He and Jane developed many lifelong friendships during their assignments in Europe, Asia and the States. Ann and Milton Killen remained close friends for forty-seven years and throughout his illness. He adored their only daughter, Martha. His special relationship and pride in her accomplishments were well known and his mentoring and support never failed her. He was a loving and supportive husband to Jane, enjoyed family, traveling and gardening. He loved animals and was particularly caring of the sick and abandoned he found and brought home to care for. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Dr. Harry Phillips will officiate. The family will receive friends afterward in the social hall. He will be inurned in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Still Hopes, P.O. Box 2959, West Columbia, SC 29171, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1000 Greenlawn Dr., Columbia, SC 29209 or to Project Pet, P.O. Box 1777, Columbia, SC 29202. The family would like to especially thank his devoted caretakers at Still Hopes. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
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