Richard Wallace Berry

Richard (Dick) Wallace Berry, born September 21, 1933 in Edina, MO, passed away November 19, 2007, in Mesa, AZ and former long time resident of Muskegon, Michigan. Richard married Barbara Jean Brandt on July 2, 1954 in Atchison, KS. He graduated valedictorian from Edina High School in 1951. Dick attended the University of Missouri where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and then transferred to Wichita State and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. He served in the Army in Fort Hood, TX (1954-56). He worked for Bemis Co., Inc. in Kansas City, MO, Indianapolis, IN, and Muskegon, MI. He and Paul Vanderwerf purchased the Muskegon Bemis Operation in 1979 and formed Tekmold. They successfully ran Tekmold, until they sold it in 1992. Dick was an accomplished high school athlete winning numerous awards and letters. He loved golf and is known for perfecting the backwards chip shot. He was President of the Muskegon Country Club for several years and was currently a member of the Red Mountain Country Club in Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his wife Barbara Berry of Mesa, AZ, sons Richard L. Berry of Janesville, WI and Randall W. (Cindy) Berry of Bellevue, WA and daughter Susan L. (Terry) Holmes of Monument, CO; grandchildren Steven, David, and Sandy Berry and Kari and Brandt Holmes; two brothers, Francis Berry and wife Dottie of Anaheim, CA, and J.C. Berry and wife Dorothy of Edina, MN, one sister Elizabeth Poole of Cedar Falls, IA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Mr. Berry was preceded in death by his parents Stanley R. Berry and Cleo B. (Perry) Berry, a brother Stanley G. "Deacon" Berry, a sister, Katherine L. Barnett, and a brother Charles R. Berry. Dick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and was known to many for his humor and wisdom. Dick will be missed by his family, including many nieces and nephews; his business associates and friends including those from the Muskegon Country Club and the Red Mountain Ranch Country Club.Services will be held at Church of the Master, 6659 E. University in Mesa on Saturday, Nov. 24. 10:00am with a Celebration of Life Brunch at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, 6425 E Teton Circle from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Memorial donations may be made to Premier Oncology, 9023 E. Desert Cove Ave. Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or Banner Gardens Hospice House, 7231 E Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85208.