1921
William
2009
William Berry, Jr.
April 4, 1921 — May 21, 2009
William T “Dub” Berry Jr, 88, of Lenexa, KS passed away May 21, 2009. Visitation will be from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at D.W. Newcomers, Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. There will be a private family Interment at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.
Dub was born April 4, 1921 in Vernon, TX to William Thomas and Martha Esther Berry. Dub’s career spanned over 50 years of notable accomplishments and recognitions. He was raised on a livestock farm in Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry and immediately went on active duty as a commissioned 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. His military service included 2 ½ years of overseas service in the Southwest Pacific Theater and ended with service as a Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force Reserves.
From 1946 to 1953, Dub operated a large commercial cattle and farming enterprise in partnership with his father in the panhandle of Texas. In 1953, he joined the staff of the Animal Husbandry Department at Texas A&M University. He served as Professor of Beef Cattle Production, conducted research in animal nutrition and genetics and received both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Nutrition. During his tenure at Texas A&M, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award and was elected the Outstanding Professor in the School of Agriculture. From 1960-1967, Dr. Berry was the Operations Manager for Winrock Farms in Arkansas and Oklahoma. From 1967-1974, he was the Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association in Kansas City, MO. From 1974-1979, Dr. Berry was Sr. Vice President and Director of the Victorio Land and Cattle Company and Western Farm Management in Phoenix, AZ. From 1980-1986, Dr. Berry was Executive Vice-President of the National Cattlemen’s Association in Denver, CO. After retiring from NCA, he continued his business endeavors serving as Agricultural and Food Consultant with LBAS Consulting Group as well as his own private business, Berry Enterprises in Lenexa, KS. Dub and Mabel moved to Lakeview Village in 1999 where he continued to be active in both community and Lakeview Village committees.
In addition to his vast career, Dub was recognized worldwide for his many contributions to the agricultural and cattle communities serving on numerous international committees and boards.
Dub was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mabel Barbour Berry and his son-in-law Michael A. Kearney. Dub is survived by his three children, William Thomas Berry, III and wife Lisa of Bella Vista, AR, Judy Spafford and her husband Mike of Lenexa, KS, Blanche Kearny of Olathe, KS, Granddaughter Jennifer Hays and her husband Robb, Grandson Mark Berry, his wife Rhonda and great grandson, Luke, Granddaughter Kristal McMillan and her husband Nathan, and great Granddaughter Alyssa, Grandson Josh Berry and Grandson Matt Berry, his sister, Betty Koeninger of N Little Rock, AR and his devoted companion Phylas Lose of Lenexa, KS.
The Berry Family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many friends, family and professionals whose kindness and compassion made his journey easier.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Dub’s name to the Texas A&M University Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840.
Dub was born April 4, 1921 in Vernon, TX to William Thomas and Martha Esther Berry. Dub’s career spanned over 50 years of notable accomplishments and recognitions. He was raised on a livestock farm in Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry and immediately went on active duty as a commissioned 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. His military service included 2 ½ years of overseas service in the Southwest Pacific Theater and ended with service as a Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force Reserves.
From 1946 to 1953, Dub operated a large commercial cattle and farming enterprise in partnership with his father in the panhandle of Texas. In 1953, he joined the staff of the Animal Husbandry Department at Texas A&M University. He served as Professor of Beef Cattle Production, conducted research in animal nutrition and genetics and received both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Nutrition. During his tenure at Texas A&M, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award and was elected the Outstanding Professor in the School of Agriculture. From 1960-1967, Dr. Berry was the Operations Manager for Winrock Farms in Arkansas and Oklahoma. From 1967-1974, he was the Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association in Kansas City, MO. From 1974-1979, Dr. Berry was Sr. Vice President and Director of the Victorio Land and Cattle Company and Western Farm Management in Phoenix, AZ. From 1980-1986, Dr. Berry was Executive Vice-President of the National Cattlemen’s Association in Denver, CO. After retiring from NCA, he continued his business endeavors serving as Agricultural and Food Consultant with LBAS Consulting Group as well as his own private business, Berry Enterprises in Lenexa, KS. Dub and Mabel moved to Lakeview Village in 1999 where he continued to be active in both community and Lakeview Village committees.
In addition to his vast career, Dub was recognized worldwide for his many contributions to the agricultural and cattle communities serving on numerous international committees and boards.
Dub was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mabel Barbour Berry and his son-in-law Michael A. Kearney. Dub is survived by his three children, William Thomas Berry, III and wife Lisa of Bella Vista, AR, Judy Spafford and her husband Mike of Lenexa, KS, Blanche Kearny of Olathe, KS, Granddaughter Jennifer Hays and her husband Robb, Grandson Mark Berry, his wife Rhonda and great grandson, Luke, Granddaughter Kristal McMillan and her husband Nathan, and great Granddaughter Alyssa, Grandson Josh Berry and Grandson Matt Berry, his sister, Betty Koeninger of N Little Rock, AR and his devoted companion Phylas Lose of Lenexa, KS.
The Berry Family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many friends, family and professionals whose kindness and compassion made his journey easier.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Dub’s name to the Texas A&M University Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840.
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