Johnnie Jim Berry

Johnnie Jim Berry was born on April 12, 1934 in Hampton, Tennessee to parents Jim and Viola Berry. His father died at a young age leaving John the man of the family. As a young boy some of the local Moonshiners would hide there alcohol in his little red wagon. He never had the opportunity to finish school, working odd jobs to help support the family instead. He joined the Tennessee National Guard September 1, 1950 because several of his patriotic friends had signed up before him. Shortly after joining the Tennessee National Guard he was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on July 27, 1952 after serving almost 2 years.

John married Elsie Lee on July 31, 1952 and they had three children, Jackie the oldest, Teresa and John Jr. The family lived in Orlando, Florida for many years until John and Elsie divorced in September 1968. He met Jean Wheatley in Canyonville, Oregon at the Pine Cone drive up restaurant that she owned and they married on February 14, 1970. John was a member of the International Union Of Operating Engineers, Local 701 and worked on various construction projects for companies such as Peter Kiewitt, Ross Brothers and Knife River Corporation ( Formally LTM) just to name a few. He was an excellent backhoe operator and was well known for his proficiency at running that piece of equipment. Even after retirement he won honors operating an excavator at the Union Skills Demo Rodeo in 2001.

John was quite a character and some of his favorite sayings were " that tastes musty like I musty have some more". While working in the forest constructing logging roads his co workers liked to call him the " squirrel in the woods". He often called his wife "my little sugar booger". After retirement John kept active and very busy working on various projects around the home. In later years he loved to meet friends at the Feed Lot restaurant in Canyonville for coffee and conversation. Many of the canyonville merchants especially liked John as he believed in spending his money locally.

John died on June 6, 2014 at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife Jean Berry, his daughter Teresa, Son John Jr. and numerous Grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park. 201 N. Phoenix Rd. Medford, Oregon at 2:00 Friday June 20, 2014.