Jackie Gene Berry

Jackie Gene Berry, 78, of Athens passed away on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024, at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mr. Berry was born August 12, 1945, in Popular Bluff, Missouri, to Jack Berry and Ann D. Moore Berry. Mr. Berry graduated from Greenville High School, Greenville, MS in 1963. He worked to obtain his pilot’s license while in high school. In 1969, Mr. Berry enlisted as a Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army to fly helicopters. He served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Charlie Battery 4th Battalion (ARA) 77th Artillery. Call sign Griffin 82flying the AH-1 Cobra. There he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters, 1 Air Medal with Valor, 15 Air Medals and numerous other awards including the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. In 1977, CW2 Berry was selected to use his expertise in the Development and Testing of what would become the AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter. He severed as a Maintenance Officer, Engineering Test Pilot, Instructor and Standardization Instructor Pilot. He attended numerous schools on behalf of his military profession also earning a B.S. Degree. CW4 Berry retired from active duty in 1989. He continued to fly as a contractor pilot for the next 10 years supporting the Aviation Developmental Test Activity at Fort Rucker except for a short break for being recalled to active duty in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm. In 1999, Mr. Berry began a new career supporting the warfighter with PEO Aviation, PM Apache as a consultant until his retirement in 2016. Mr. Berry was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, MSGT Robert Eli Berry, USAF (ret.). Survivors include his wife Holly, a blend of family children, J. Scott Berry (Hilary), Deadre Berry Stoessel (David), Thomas G. Cook (Kristen), Aaron A. Cook (Jessica), and A. Tyler Berry (LauraBeth). He was honored to assist in raising a Grandson, Aidan R. Cook. Grandchildren: Aaran, Kyrstie, Jack, Jenna, Jeremy, Lindsey, Betsy, Ansley, Connor and Jack Jack. Great Granddaughters: Hayden and Addison. Siblings: Linda Berry and David Berry We would also like to acknowledge and thank Jack’s homecare nurses Simone Grace and Nicole Jackson; the nurses, techs, and staff of Athens Limestone Hospital for their love and care. Internment will be in the Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, AL on July 3, 2024, at 12:30pm. A Life Celebration will be July 4, 2024, at 5pm at the family home in Athens. A Memory Day will occur on July 6, 2024, at 4 pm at the family home.

Jackie Gene Berry

August 12, 1945 - June 25, 2024