Cecil Glenn Berry

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Cecil Berry Obituary

Cecil Glenn Berry CHARLESTON - Cecil Glenn Berry was 76 years young. The husband of Carolyn Garvin Berry, he died on Tuesday June 24th, 2014. He was born in Crosbyton, Texas to the late Cecil Walker Berry and Irene Henderson Berry. Glenn Berry was a graduate of Crosbyton High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an Engineman Third Class aboard the USS Thornback (submarine). After completing his service in the US Navy, he joined the Merchant Marines and worked aboard shipping vessels across the world, including providing supplies to the U.S. military during the Vietnam war, before eventually coming back to Charleston where he began working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard as a boilermaker. He retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1992 as a Shop Planner in Shop #41. Known as "Poppy" to his grandchildren, "Droop" by his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and "Wildman" by his friends, Glenn Berry was a man of many skills and talents. He was an amazing cook, carpenter, brick mason, mechanic, metal smith, welder, plumber, gardener, landscaper, and fixer of all things. Once asked if he could fix his son's broken boat trailer, he simply replied, "I can fix any--damn--thing". He was known as the neighborhood handy man and was always willing to help out his neighbors, whether it was working on cars or with projects they had around the house. His lifelong passion was fishing and could often be found out in the Stono River in his Johnboat catching fish and shrimp to cook for his family. He was a sports enthusiast both professional and amateur. One of his favorite things was to go see his children and grandchildren play sports and he never missed a single game. He was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns football teams as well as the New York Yankees Baseball team. In addition to his wife, his sons Matthew L. Berry and Timothy W. Berry survive him. Two granddaughters and one grandson, a brother, James R. Berry of Lubbock, Texas and a sister, Betty B. Daniel of Dublin, Texas, also survive him as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by two sisters, Helen Bond and Frances Copeland along with three brothers, Donald H. Berry, Thomas (Pat) Berry and Marshall L. Berry. Relatives and friends of Glenn and Carolyn Berry are invited to attend his memorial service on Monday, June 30th, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway. His guestbook may be signed at JamesAMcAlister.com. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research hospital: P.O. BOX 1000 DEPT 142, MEMPHIS, TN 38101--9908. Arrangements by James A. McAlister. 766-1365 Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jun. 27 to Jun. 28, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Cecil Berry

12 Entries

Raymond Fritz

July 21, 2014

On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), we offer our most sincere condolences and sympathy to Carolyn, Matthew, and Timothy, and all of Cecil's family and friends in this time of sorrow and grief. God bless you with peace, comfort you, and heal your broken hearts. We are especially thankful for Cecil's courageous service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service on the USS Thornback SS-418. To our “Brother of the Dolphin” we say … "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."

So, heavenly Father add his name to the roll
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive
Will always keep their memories alive.

Bless those who serve beneath the deep,
Through lonely hours their vigil keep.
May peace their mission ever be!
Protect each one, we ask of Thee.
Bless those at home who wait and pray
For their return by night and day.

Cecil Glenn Berry, EN3(SS), US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.

Rev. Ray Fritz, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.

Nick Nichols

July 16, 2014

To the Berry Family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Glenn's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and all SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Glenn will always be remembered as a “Brother of the Phin” and a great Patriot.

EN3(SS) Cecil Glenn Berry
US Navy Submarine Veteran
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain

July 2, 2014

Mrs.Carolyn and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Mr. Glenn for his laid back attitude and awesome cooking!! xo Diane & Family

Warren W Oney

July 1, 2014

My condolences to the Berry family on the passing of Cecil Glenn. Like Pat Gurr, I served with Cecil on the Thornback and always called him Berry. I was about 10 years older than Cecil so we were not really close buddies but because of an incident we shared off the Florida coast one night in the late 1950's, I have thought of him frequently over the years. We were part of a group that went topside after we had left port late one night to throw an engine exhaust header overboard. As we threw it over the side, my wedding ring caught on the header and I found myself in the water. The boat was underway and Berry grabbed a heaving line and ran aft of the sail in an effort to keep me in sight and possibly get a line to me. On the way, he ran into one of the boat running lights and got a pretty ugly cut on his forehead. Although he probably never thought anything of it, I thought his actions at that time showed a cool head and quick thinking on his part. I appreciated it at the time and still do to this day. May he rest in peace.

Carolyn Goolsby

June 30, 2014

Forever in our hearts Uncle Droop. We will miss you!

Jeanie Hampton

June 30, 2014

Dear Carolyn:
I am sorry for your loss. I pray that God will be with you and your family now and in the days ahead.

Jeanie Hampton

Pat Gurr

June 30, 2014

My condolences to the Berry family. I served on the USS Thornback in the engine room with Cecil. Some shipmates called him Wildman but I always called him Berry. I remember Cecil as a friend, a hard worker, and always maintaining a positive attitude with a sense of humor.

Joye Bond

June 29, 2014

Carolyn and family, I was sorry to hear about Uncle Droopy's passing. I didn't know him well, but I knew lots of good things about him from other family members. I know you will miss him a great deal. You are in my thoughts.

June 28, 2014

"...there are better things ahead than any we leave behind".So sorry to hear about Glenn. William Manning

June 28, 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please find peace and comfort in knowing God cares for you and will help you in your time of need. Jeremiah 29:12 you will call me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.

Sandra Jackson

June 28, 2014

Carolyn and family, My heart goes out to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I never got to meet Glenn but I know from all the stories I have heard he was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly.

Bill Odom

June 27, 2014

To the Berry Family: I was saddened to hear of Droppy's passing. I went to school with him at Crosbyton High School, and we graduated in 1956. I am not sure I have seen him since then. May God bless and comfort your family at this time.

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