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On Aug. 19, 2023, Edwin Kelly (Ed) Berry passed from his earthly home to his eternal reward in heaven. He was surrounded by his family who loved him unconditionally. He was born in Huntington, WV, on Nov. 27, 1947, to Edwin Carlyle Berry and Mary Ruth Callison Berry. As he tended to leave an impression, he went out with a bang, with The Parkersburg Homecoming fireworks punctuating the end of an adventurous life, the last 6 years of which were spent traveling and making memories with friends and family, all the while amusing healthcare workers as he repeatedly whooped pancreatic cancer's butt.
Having always had a love of running and after graduation from Huntington High in 1965, he attended Marshall University on a track and cross-country scholarship, where he joined Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and the Science Honorary Society. He completed an AB in Biological and General Sciences in 1970 and an MS in Biological Sciences in 1973, with additional graduate studies in Environmental and Geological Sciences. During his studies, he joined the US Army, obtaining the rank of Specialist 5. He was a long-time member of North Parkersburg Baptist Church.
He taught sciences at Huntington East, St. Mary's, and Parkersburg South High Schools; was an adjunct instructor at Marshall University and WVU-P; and was a cooperating educator with the WV Geological and Economic Survey. Throughout his career in education, he shared his love of running with countless students as a track and field and cross- country coach for high school and college, all while he competed in local, regional, and national road running and track events.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann (Taylor, Williams) Berry whom he married on 4/4/94 (so he could remember his anniversary), children Ryan Berry and Amanda (Tony) Vanderpool of Colorado, bonus children Todd (Norma) Williams of Texas and Cindy (Rodney) Lynch of Georgia, daughter-in-law Christa (Mike) Williams of Ohio, brother-in-law Bob Tayor of Lubeck, 10 grandkids (1 adopted), 3.5 great-grandchildren, his Aunt Patsy (Mamma Deitz) of FL who loved him like her own and her two children, Tim and John who treated him as a brother, along with many other family and longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Beverley Susan, bonus son Mike Williams, sisters in law Mary Jane Cowan and Sharon Taylor, and cousin Chuck Money.
As Ed dedicated his life to education both inside and outside of the formal classroom, he chose to gift his body to the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV so he could continue teaching the next generation of doctors.
A celebration of life will be held Sept. 30, 2023, at 11 a.m., at NPBC with Pastor Mike Towner officiating. Friends and family are encouraged to attend (bring stories!) and to wear purple in honor of pancreatic cancer awareness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Friendship Kitchen at NPBC or the Humane Society of Parkersburg.
Special thank you to Jim Canary (Linda) for transporting him back and forth on his many trips to Morgantown for various doctor/test appointments. His long time running (now walking) buddies and special friends Alan Hatmaker, John Nicholson and Don Fosselman. The family would like to thank Housecalls Hospice for their excellent care, especially Sherri, John and Brittany. Also, for the great care of his oncologist Dr. Devaki Siva and nurses of Strecker Cancer Center and his many doctors at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV
"I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race I have kept the faith," 2 Timothy 4:7.
All glory to God!