Philip L. Berry

Philip L. Berry, Major USAF Retired: died October 23, 2012, born April 3, 1926 to Henry Berry and Stella Short, in Bowie, Colorado. He was the seventh of nine children. He survived by his wife of 59 years, Carmen (Tita) E. Berry, his son Philip H. Berry, his daughter Mary B. Schmidt, his granddaughter, Jennifer M. Schmidt, and his brother Verne P. Berry. He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, and one brother. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a FC/3C, aboard the USS Tamalpais, A096, in the South Pacific. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1950, attended Navigator School, and served in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until he retired in 1968. The Berry family moved to El Paso, Texas, where he taught for 25 years at Terrace Hills, Ross, Irvin, and Cathedral High School. He was active in the Knights of Columbus Council 638 Christo Rey, and Our Lady of Americas Assemblies. He served at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church as a member of the Finance Committee, and as a member of the school board and was instrumental in the establishment of a Knights of Columbus Council 12997 at Our Lady of Assumption Parish. He was awarded El Paso Diocesan SEED Award, in 2009, for his work in Catholic Schools and Education. He volunteered at William Beaumont, Army Hospital, Chapel as sacristan, altar boy, rosary leader and lecturer. He was a member of American Legion Post 58, and Military Officers of America. The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Las Palmas as ICU for their kindness and support. Visitation will be held from 5-9pm with a Vigil/Rosary at 7pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Funeral Mass will begin at 12:45pm, Monday, October 29, 2012 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net