James L. Berry 1965Cullum: 25957 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: G2> Date of Birth: March 22, 1943 Date of Death: May 3, 2025 Died in: Fredericksburg, VA Interred: Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA - View or Post a Eulogy Obituary: James L. Berry 1965 posted here |
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James Lawrence Berry was born on March 22, 1943 in Riverside, CA to Lynn Nathan Berry and Margaret Hodges (Darden). Raised in Vancouver, WA and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School, Jim considered the Pacific Northwest to be “God’s country.”
Jim was an outstanding student, athlete, and leader at Fort Vancouver High School: class vice president, president of several service clubs, National Honor Society member, and stalwart basketball, football, and baseball player. In early 1961, Jim received a congressional nomination to West Point. Ironically, shortly after receiving it, Jim visited the University of Washington, where he met Jim “JP” Greene at a fraternity party. In March, they took the entrance exams together at Fort Lewis, WA. Flashing forward, the “Jims,” along with wives Margie Berry and Bobbye Greene, formed a lasting friendship at West Point and beyond.
Jim received his appointment letter while working at his father’s sand and gravel business. His dad told him to go home to think about it. Jim did. In July, Jim reported to the Man in the Red Sash.
Jim’s years at West Point included clubs, Cadet Chapel acolyte and Sunday School teaching, plebe 150 lb. football, and an occasional skirmish with the Academic Department. Jim credits classmate Bob Baldinger with helping him avoid being “turned out.” As JP noted, they might have finished higher in class standing if not for their passion for playing cribbage as First Class roomies. Testament to their abiding friendship, Jim was best man at JP and Bobbye’s wedding. Jim credits West Point with instilling in him the unwavering moral compass that guided his life and shaped his children.
Jim’s five years as an Air Defense artilleryman were stellar. After Airborne, Ranger and basic training, Jim went to San Francisco, where he commanded Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 51st Artillery Regiment. His battery scored an “excellent” rating on the annual missile firing. In 1967, after Vietnamese language training, Jim reported to the Military Advisory Command Vietnam as an advisor in Binh Dai District, Kien Hoa Province. Jim went on joint operations with a SEAL team, taught English to the local populace, and arranged medical appointments with Navy doctors. During the Tet Offensive, Jim’s unit engaged the Vietcong in frequent firefights, mostly at nighttime. Jim received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during this intense advisory tour.
Jim returned home to Fort Bliss, TX, where he attended the Air Defense Career Course. Upon completion, he reported to the 35th Artillery Brigade at Fort Meade, MD. Jim led a unit of the Army Air Defense Command Post with the mission of protecting the Washington, DC-Baltimore air space. While there he received the highest possible evaluation on his Officer Evaluation Report.
Jim resigned his commission in 1970 and joined the Consumer Products Division of Johnson & Johnson. Jim’s J&J career spanned 30 years. Jim was a manufacturing supervisor and plant manager before transitioning to positions of increased responsibility in planning and logistics.
Eventually, he rose to director of logistics for consumer products. He served on J&J’s first Walmart support team in Bentonville, AR. According to his J&J team leader, this assignment was considered by J&J peers to be a high-risk career-ender. No stranger to risk, Jim volunteered and succeeded brilliantly. Noted for his ability to work across many J&J company divisions, as well as with many Walmart personnel, Jim ensured the successful startup for the Consumer Products Division. Jim returned to J&J headquarters after this five-year assignment. In this period, J&J doubled its sales volume with Walmart. Jim and Margie view their time in Arkansas as their best and happiest years of Jim’s outstanding career.
The Berrys retired to Fredericksburg, VA in 2001. A quietly devout Christian since childhood, Jim continued to apply his leadership skills with his local church and in his neighborhood. At Saint Matthew Catholic Church, Jim led the food pantry program and other outreach initiatives. He served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus chapter. He and Margie helped to organize large gatherings of neighbors for various outings, bus trips and vacation travel. Jim loved golf and staying abreast of grandchildren’s events.
Jim was devoted to Margie and to their children and grandchildren: son Thomas Berry and wife Colleen of South Plainfield, NJ; daughter Donna Bloom and husband Michael of Fredericksburg; daughter Barbara Storen and husband Duke, also of Fredericksburg; and 13 grandchildren: Brendan, Colin, Nolan, Kathryn, and Patrick Berry; Diana, Jeffrey, and Christopher Bloom; and James, Caroline, Alexander, Julia, and Erin Storen.
Jim and Margie stayed active with classmates. Their close friends Dave and Darlene Hopkins visited often. Lunches with them and other classmates occurred occasionally, and stories and reminiscences abounded.
Jim’s wonderful personality was characterized by a persistent wit, a ready smile, a willingness to listen, a patient and uncritical presence with friends and strangers alike, and an open mind to differences. He was, however, no pushover. West Point values, discipline, and leadership skills were ever in play. Jim acted always with humility, humanity, and grace. He never lost his temper with his family, his friends, acquaintances, or strangers. For Jim tough mindedness and kindness dwelled comfortably together in his heart and soul. “Whatever it takes” was his constant counsel to his children when they were facing a hard challenge.
Jim’s final years were physically and mentally difficult. He never lost his smile for everyone; for and with honor did he live.
— G-2 Classmate
