At age 78, Jerry lost his valiant 25-year battle with Hairy-Cell Leukemia, Sunday, October 17, 2010. Jerry was born in Inglewood, Calif., to Giles Berry (1896-1935)of Massachusetts & CA and Geraldine (Larson) Berry, (1909-1992)of Wyoming, CA., & HI. His father died when Gerald was 3. His mother remarried a man who Gerald fondly referred to as "Denny". A Greek man who was a tremendous influence for the young Gerald. Raised in the South Bay, CA beach cities by his mother Geraldine and stepfather, Dennis Neff (Niforatos), (1902 Greece - 1989 Hawaii.)
Jerry grew up playing in the Pacific Ocean and reading everything the Redondo Beach Library had available while attempting to avoid trouble due to his extreme curiosity and vast interests. In 1952, he entered the United States Navy and became part of Navy Air, where he proudly served as crew chief of Patrol Seaplanes during and after the Korean War. After his Navy years, he worked at Douglas Aircraft. In 1964, the self-confirmed bachelor met and married a young widow with five children. He then accepted a position at The Aerospace Corp. as an Electronics Engineer. Jerry and his new wife added a sixth child to their family and moved into Torrance, Calif., where he proudly raised his new family with unconditional love and care. He was a devoted, loving husband and a remarkable father to all six of his children. Jerry's friends and family were in awe of Jerry's inborn intellect, desire and ability to learn. Not unlike his gandfathers before him, He was truly a Renaissance man. During his long battle with leukemia, he relaxed by completely rebuilding classic British cars. He met many wonderful friends before and during his battle, all of which were treasured. His appreciation for a strong work ethic was apparent and self practiced. Upon retiring from Aerospace Corp in 1994, Jerry and his wife moved to Templeton, Calif., where the two became active in their new community.
Jerry is survived by his wife, children, and siblings Anita, Dennis, and Nancy. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Jean (Berry) MacDonald in 2009.
Jerry grew up playing in the Pacific Ocean and reading everything the Redondo Beach Library had available while attempting to avoid trouble due to his extreme curiosity and vast interests. In 1952, he entered the United States Navy and became part of Navy Air, where he proudly served as crew chief of Patrol Seaplanes during and after the Korean War. After his Navy years, he worked at Douglas Aircraft. In 1964, the self-confirmed bachelor met and married a young widow with five children. He then accepted a position at The Aerospace Corp. as an Electronics Engineer. Jerry and his new wife added a sixth child to their family and moved into Torrance, Calif., where he proudly raised his new family with unconditional love and care. He was a devoted, loving husband and a remarkable father to all six of his children. Jerry's friends and family were in awe of Jerry's inborn intellect, desire and ability to learn. Not unlike his gandfathers before him, He was truly a Renaissance man. During his long battle with leukemia, he relaxed by completely rebuilding classic British cars. He met many wonderful friends before and during his battle, all of which were treasured. His appreciation for a strong work ethic was apparent and self practiced. Upon retiring from Aerospace Corp in 1994, Jerry and his wife moved to Templeton, Calif., where the two became active in their new community.
Jerry is survived by his wife, children, and siblings Anita, Dennis, and Nancy. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Jean (Berry) MacDonald in 2009.
At age 78, Jerry lost his valiant 25-year battle with Hairy-Cell Leukemia, Sunday, October 17, 2010. Jerry was born in Inglewood, Calif., to Giles Berry (1896-1935)of Massachusetts & CA and Geraldine (Larson) Berry, (1909-1992)of Wyoming, CA., & HI. His father died when Gerald was 3. His mother remarried a man who Gerald fondly referred to as "Denny". A Greek man who was a tremendous influence for the young Gerald. Raised in the South Bay, CA beach cities by his mother Geraldine and stepfather, Dennis Neff (Niforatos), (1902 Greece - 1989 Hawaii.)
Jerry grew up playing in the Pacific Ocean and reading everything the Redondo Beach Library had available while attempting to avoid trouble due to his extreme curiosity and vast interests. In 1952, he entered the United States Navy and became part of Navy Air, where he proudly served as crew chief of Patrol Seaplanes during and after the Korean War. After his Navy years, he worked at Douglas Aircraft. In 1964, the self-confirmed bachelor met and married a young widow with five children. He then accepted a position at The Aerospace Corp. as an Electronics Engineer. Jerry and his new wife added a sixth child to their family and moved into Torrance, Calif., where he proudly raised his new family with unconditional love and care. He was a devoted, loving husband and a remarkable father to all six of his children. Jerry's friends and family were in awe of Jerry's inborn intellect, desire and ability to learn. Not unlike his gandfathers before him, He was truly a Renaissance man. During his long battle with leukemia, he relaxed by completely rebuilding classic British cars. He met many wonderful friends before and during his battle, all of which were treasured. His appreciation for a strong work ethic was apparent and self practiced. Upon retiring from Aerospace Corp in 1994, Jerry and his wife moved to Templeton, Calif., where the two became active in their new community.
Jerry is survived by his wife, children, and siblings Anita, Dennis, and Nancy. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Jean (Berry) MacDonald in 2009.
Jerry grew up playing in the Pacific Ocean and reading everything the Redondo Beach Library had available while attempting to avoid trouble due to his extreme curiosity and vast interests. In 1952, he entered the United States Navy and became part of Navy Air, where he proudly served as crew chief of Patrol Seaplanes during and after the Korean War. After his Navy years, he worked at Douglas Aircraft. In 1964, the self-confirmed bachelor met and married a young widow with five children. He then accepted a position at The Aerospace Corp. as an Electronics Engineer. Jerry and his new wife added a sixth child to their family and moved into Torrance, Calif., where he proudly raised his new family with unconditional love and care. He was a devoted, loving husband and a remarkable father to all six of his children. Jerry's friends and family were in awe of Jerry's inborn intellect, desire and ability to learn. Not unlike his gandfathers before him, He was truly a Renaissance man. During his long battle with leukemia, he relaxed by completely rebuilding classic British cars. He met many wonderful friends before and during his battle, all of which were treasured. His appreciation for a strong work ethic was apparent and self practiced. Upon retiring from Aerospace Corp in 1994, Jerry and his wife moved to Templeton, Calif., where the two became active in their new community.
Jerry is survived by his wife, children, and siblings Anita, Dennis, and Nancy. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Jean (Berry) MacDonald in 2009.
Inscription
Gerald Giles Berry, 8-17-1932/10-17-2010
Gravesite Details
Gerald's cremains were originally interred in a niche at Chapel of the Roses in Atascadero, CA. They were moved to Templeton Cemetery Columbarium by his family in January, 2022.
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