James Leon Berry, a resident of the Hanna area, died Jan. 29, 2023 at the age of 82. He was born June 27, 1940 in Hanna to Everett Berry and Verneil (Robertson) Berry. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1961 and served two years in Germany as an Army mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1963. James and Pat were married June 18, 1964.To this union was born four children: Robin, Deborah, Angela and James Berry II.
He operated a gas station in Hanna for two years before becoming a gifted farmer and avid rancher. He was a devoted school bus driver for Hanna Public Schools for 50 years, retiring in 2020. He attained many honors in his life, including Outstanding Farm Family in 1979 and 1990 and Hanna Watermelon King in 1985. He received his Masonic Lodge 50-year pin in 2022.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Verneil (Robertson) Berry; his father and mother-in-law Zack and Marie Spear; his sister, Glenda Waldrip; his brother, Johnny Berry; his sister-in-law Margaret Berry; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wilma and J.C. Bogard.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years Patricia Berry of the home; his children, Robin and Darrell Proctor, Deborah and Rance Fogle, Angela and Harold Long, and James and Shelley Berry all of Hanna; grandchildren: Zackery and Jaycee Fogle, Kelsey and Yonah Two Bears, Amberly and Jordan Sampson, Rance Fogle II, Darrell Proctor II, Madison Long, Lance Fogle, Brailey Fogle, Wyatt Long, James Berry III, Avery Berry and Harold Long III; great-grandchildren: Gabriel Fogle and Kai Two Bears; brother, Gary Berry and sister Diane and Michael Ward; brother-in-law Bob Waldrip and sister-in-law Sharon Berry; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Zackery Fogle, Rance Fogle II, Darrell Proctor II, Lance Fogle, Wyatt Long, James Berry III and Harold Long III. Honorary pallbearers will be: Roger Smith, Ireland Smith Jr, Keith Bogle, Randy Bogle, Ronnie Joe Burleson, and Donald Hopkins.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at the Hanna School Gymnasium. Interment with military honors will follow in Hanna Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.