Gene Allen Berry, 80, was born July 12, 1933 to Clem Martin and Elizabeth Daniels in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was one of five siblings and was preceded in death by three brothers. A Korean War veteran, he served in the United States Army from October 1950 to October 1953 and was among the first men of African American descent to integrate the armed forces. He was awarded three bronze stars. He held many jobs, but it was his work as a Window Cleaner that led to the start of his career as a Union Organizer and officer. For over thirty years, he was dedicated to getting the best wages and working conditions for people who had no voice on the job. Gene Berry was an outstanding negotiator whose skills included the ability to amicably persuade management and win favorable contracts for service workers. Gene was elected to the office of Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees' Intl. Union Local 96, now Local 1. He retired from that position in 1995. He then relentlessly pursued his passion, "fishing", on a full time basis and became a very popular Crappy and Walleye fisherman. He loved people and people loved him. He especially loved his family. Mourning his loss are loving and devoted wife, Erma Berry; loving sister, Harriett Wade; sons, David L. Claborn, Jr. and Charles L. Shelton III; daughters, loving and dedicated Vanessa Claborn-Welch, Janet Gail Tate and faithful and loving Erika Shelton Adams; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Boone Tabernacle Church of God In Christ. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors.