James “Jim“ Berry Jr., 76, of Osceola, Nebraska, fought the good fight, kept the faith, and received his crown of righteousness when he passed from this life to the next on March 26, 2025. Jim was born to James and Dolly (Bowers) Berry on December 10, 1948 in Sabetha, KS.
The family lived in various locations in Nebraska, including Humboldt, Falls City, Cozad, and Omaha. Jim attended Dawson-Verdon High School and at 17 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served his country in Vietnam for two years.
His various occupations included trucking, owning a roofing company, welding, and road construction, before seeking employment in the Pacific Northwest in 1980. In Seattle, Washington, Jim was employed by the Boeing Aerospace Company and joined an elite crew of underwater repair divers who were responsible for keeping the watercrafts’ hydrofoils running. From there he transferred within the Boeing company to Auburn, Washington, and became the foreman of five shops in the airlines assembly factory. He met his wife there, and they were married in 1985 in Mazatlán, Mexico. In 1988, the two divorced. In their time apart, they each found Jesus Christ and were baptized on separate occasions. God then proceeded to bring them back together, and they remarried each other in 1989 and were married for a total of 40 years.
During this time, Jim owned and operated a food truck, as well as graduated from clown College in Lakewood Washington. He became a professional clown, balloon artist, and magician. He retired early from Boeing, which led him and his family to move back to the Midwest to Salem, Nebraska. Jim became a Boy Scout chaplain and minister of the gospel, serving as pastor of Christ Church of Falls City for many years.
In 2022, Jim and his wife moved to Osceola, Nebraska to live closer to their children. Jim enjoyed playing the guitar, harmonica, playing chess, as well as pool. Hunting, fishing, and target shooting were a few of his favorite pastimes. He had quite a collection of unique knives, particularly some handmade pieces representing his native heritage.
His memory will be cherished by his wife, Karen Berry (Ried) and his children: Tammy Cox (Jordan) of Roy, Washington; Dan Berry of Lincoln, Nebraska; Sam Jones (Joey) of Benedict, Nebraska; Boone Berry of York, Nebraska; Eric Berry-Massey of York, Nebraska; as well as several nieces, nephews, and six precious grandchildren.
Preceded in death by sister and brother-in-law Colleen and Ted Vice, mother and father Dolly and James Berry, brothers Miles Ruch, Dale Schultz, Gene Berry, JW Berry, and numerous other loved ones.
Our hearts are broken as we mourn our loss, yet we rejoice in his new life with Christ.
A celebration of Jim‘s life will be held at the Evangelical Free Church in Stromsburg, Nebraska on May 31, 2025 at 2pm.
The family requests anyone planning to attend please refrain from wearing black. Wearing white, tie dye, or any bright colors is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family and will be designated at a later time.