James D. Berry
| Home Commandery: | Colorado No. 4 | |
| Year Served: | 1979 | |
| Died: | November 30th, -0001 |
1979 Officer Corps
| Sir Knight James D. Berry | Right Eminent Grand Commander |
| Sir Knight Belker D. Paschall, Jr. | Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander |
| Sir Knight Albert B. Seay | Eminent Grand Generalissimo |
| Sir Knight Donald L. Smith | Eminent Grand Captain General |
| Sir Knight Charles D. Browder, Jr. | Eminent Grand Senior Warden |
| Sir Knight Robert A. Melton | Eminent Grand Junior Warden |
| Sir Knight Ira M. Thompson, Jr. | Eminent Grand Prelate |
| Sir Knight Richard T. Porter | Eminent Grand Treasurer |
| Sir Knight Dale E. Miller | Eminent Grand Recorder |
| Sir Knight William L. Blanks | Eminent Grand Standard Bearer |
| Sir Knight R.C. Rains | Eminent Grand Sword Bearer |
| Sir Knight Wallace E. Dunn | Eminent Grand Warder |
| Sir Knight Thomas C. Yantis | Eminent Grand Sentinel |
Raised a Master Mason in Loop Lodge No. 895, Mobile, Alabama in 1953. Later affiliated with Hill City Lodge No. 456 A.F. and A.M. and also T. Neal Porter Lodge No. 1354, A.F. and A.M. both of Austin. Served as Worshipful Master of T. Neal Porter Lodge No. 1354 in 1972-73. Served as District Deputy Grand Master 50th Masonic District 1976. Presently Secretary of T. Neal Porter Lodge No. 1354 and also Chairman Credentials Committee No. 2, Grand Lodge of Texas.
Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Eifel Chapter No. 6, R.A.M., Spangdahlem, West Germany, 1960. Affiliated with Lone Star Chapter No. 6, R.A.M. serving as High Priest in 1975-76. Served as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 21st Capitular District in 1977. Order of the High Priesthood 1975. Now Secretary of Lone Star Chapter No. 6.
Greeted a Select Master in Eifel Council No. 3, R&SM, Spangdahlem, West Germany, 1960. Served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Eifel Council in 1962. Affiliated with Austin Council No. 2 serving as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1974-75. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Cryptic District in 1975. Super Excellent Master 1961. Member Paste Thrice Illustrious Master’s Council of West Germany. Presently Recorder of Austin Council No. 2.
Knighted in Herman von Salza Commandery No. 1, K.T. Frankfurt / Main, West Germany 1961. Affiliated with St. John’s Commandery No. 8, K.T., Stillwater Oklahoma, serving as Commander in 1965. Affiliated with Colorado Commandery No. 4, K.T. Now Recorder Colorado Commandery No. 4.
Received in Degrees of the A.A.S.R. in the Valley of Austin 1970. Invested with rank of Knight Commander Court of Honor 1979. Served as Master of Kadosh 1978 and Commander 1979. Initiated a Noble in Ben Hur Shrine 1971. Member of the Royal Order of Scotland. Retired U.S. Air Force.
Obituary
James D. Berry was born July 11, 1914 in Lexington, Missouri, to James Clark and Emma Mattson Berry. Died September 8, 2011. He spent his early life in the area around Garnett, Kansas graduating from Garnett High School in 1932.
Joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1934 and was honorably discharged in 1936 to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut in the class of 1940. Did not graduate. Entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Flying School in 1938 and was commissioned in 1939. Served in the Panama Canal Zone, Southwest Pacific, Japan and Germany retiring in 1966 with the rank of Colonel.
Married Iris Zimmerman of San Antonio, Texas in February 1939. One daughter Patricia A. Glass was born to this union. Iris died in December 1974. Married Hazel Ulrich in December 1975. She died in April 2001. Married Agnes (Peg) H. Brown in June 2003.
Active in the Masonic Fraternity. Member of the lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shrine. Served as Secretary-Recorder of the York Rite Bodies of Austin for a number of years. 33rd Degree Scottish Rite. Past Grand Commander Knights Templar of Texas.
Attended the University of Maryland, Pentagon Branch, graduating with a BS Degree in 1959. Attended the George Washington University graduating with an MA Degree in 1967; attended University of Texas of Austin, Texas graduating with an MA Degree in 1971.
He is survived by his daughter Patricia A. Glass and her husband William Glass; wife Peg. H. Berry, previously of Seneca, SC.
The family will receive friends 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011, with service beginning at 2:30 p.m., at Harrell Funeral Home, Austin, TX. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 100, Chicago, Illinois 60630; St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, P O Box 17575, Austin, Texas 78760 or to your favorite charity.