| Graduation Year | Class of 1955 |
| Date of Birth | Oct 10, 1937 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 30, 2023 |
| About | Joseph Gilbert Berry Jr. 1937 - 2023 BORN 1937 DIED 2023 UPCOMING SERVICE Graveside Service Jul. 19, 2023 10:30 a.m. Andrew Chapel Cemetery ? Joseph Gilbert Berry Jr. "Joe" October 10, 1937 – June 30, 2023 On Friday, June 30, 2023, Joseph "Joe" Gilbert Berry, Jr., beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at his home in McLean, VA surrounded by his family. Joe was born October 2, 1937 to Joseph Gilbert Berry and Frances Orrison Berry. He was raised in Vienna, VA and graduated from Fairfax High School, where he lettered in track and field, football and baseball. He attended N.C. State University and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. After college, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served four years, two of those years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After the Navy, he served as chairman of the draft board in Fairfax Co. The Berry family had a long history in land surveying in Northern Virginia, and Joe was a licensed land surveyor in both Virginia and West Virginia. He also served on the board of directors of two banks. He built four homes in McLean, VA in the late 1960's and early 1970's, one of which he resided in until he died. Joe took up golf in the mid 1960's and played it passionately until he was physically unable to in his later years. He joined River Bend County Club in Great Falls, VA in 1965. He served several terms on the board of directors, two terms as president (1973 & 1982), and earned a well-deserved honorary membership. In the fall of 1972, shortly after his birthday on October 2, he became the youngest president ever elected at age 35. The goals he set and achieved for the betterment of the club through his pragmatic decision-making in the late 60's, 70's and 80's are far too numerous to list. He also coached the George Washington University men's varsity golf team from 1977-1979. Joe loved the outdoors and was a lifelong hunter. He spent much of his time throughout his life in West Virginia at a family-owned farm that his father purchased in 1948. He had an extraordinarily sharp memory, was a brilliant family historian, and loved his family deeply. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Davis Berry; daughter, Carmen Berry Myers; son, Joseph Gilbert Berry lll; and grandchildren Olivia Frances Myers and Jacob Collins Myers. A graveside service will be held at Andrew Chapel Cemetery on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 12, 2023. |
