Submit a PhotoAlva was born October 21, 1931, in Rochester, PA, to the late Ray Nathaniel Berry, Sr., and Mable Isabelle Graham Berry. He attended and graduated from Rochester High School. He retired as a CMSGT with an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force after 26 ½ years of service. His tours of duty included Louisiana, New York, Alaska, Ohio, Germany, Michigan, Korea, and Missouri. After retiring from the Air Force, he operated a Mutual of Omaha office in Columbus, Ohio, and then worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Trenton, NJ until he retired.
Alva was an avid sports fan having played football and basketball in school. Later he became an avid golfer. His son, grandson, and nephews credit him with their love of golf. He was a founding member of the Dolce Vita Veterans Association in Apache Junction, AZ. Alva was a man of few words but his strength of character and the way he lived his life with integrity as an example for his family on the way to live our lives. His smile would light up a room and was cherished by everyone he met.
Alva was preceded in death by his son Michael, his parents, five brothers, and three sisters. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 70 years Gloria (Puryear), daughter Deborah Brown (Christopher) of Los Angeles, CA, son William Berry (Shin Cha) and grandchildren Brandon and Taylor of Lorton, VA, granddaughter Annria Berry and great-grandchildren Kraig and Brianna of Kyle, TX, granddaughter Christina Berry and great-grandchildren Gaven, Miles, and Makayla of Tucson, AZ, sisters Donna Stewart, Brenda Johnson and Rosemary Burton, sister-in-law Wanda Puryear, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.
Visitation will be held at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297 on Tuesday, April 12th from 2-4 pm. Private funeral services are Wednesday, April 13th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
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Deb, we love you guys & are praying for you! He lived a great life. May the Lord comfort you all.
The Calverts
Summer jazz concerts and BBQs at Debbie’s will never be the same. We love and thank God for blessing us with Papa Berry’s presence in our lives. Our Lord will not leave you comfortless. He will come to you. John 14:18. May the Lord’s loving promises to comfort you, give you strength as you walk through this difficult time. In Jesus name. Amen
blessed you guys love you
To my family. All your family here in Chicago send our condolences and prayers 🙏 for the loss of Uncle Alva. We know that he is resting peaceful in heaven.
The Lord brang an amazing man to the world cherish all the memories in your heart you were truly blessed to have such a honorable father in your life to pass his legacy now through your family know that he’s with our heavenly father he will be missed dearly we comfort you and the whole family at this time 🙏🙏
Continuous love and prayers asking God to surround you, Mom and your loved ones as you remember Dad, a life so very well-lived. Rest in heaven Dad Berry.
Alva was always a man that was upright in all his ways stern but fair. He was highly respected by his siblings. He will truly missed by all those who knew him and loved him. To God be the for he lived a great life. My prayers are with you for strength in the days to come love you all.
My Deepest & Sincerest Condolences!💙
I CAN THK OF NO MAN WHO I COULD HAVE A GREATER RESPECT FOR❗️HIS KINDNESS, ENCOURAGEMENT, HIS HANDIMAN ABILITIES, WERE APPRECIATED FOR EVER MORE❗️IN HIM I SAW A BIT OF FATHER, BROTHER & FRIEND HERE IN APACHE JUNCTION WHERE HIS CHARACTER GAINED RESPECT W/DOLCE VITA’S HIGHEST SCORE❗️ALL WHO L❤️VED HIM CAN LOOK FOWARD TO THAT GREAT REUNION ABOVE THE CLOUDS RIGHT TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S OPEN DOOR❗️THOUGH WE WILL MISS HIM, WE ARE COMFORTED BY KNOWING HE IS W/THE KING…JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WHO HAS ACCEPTED HIS OFFERING❗️REST N PEACE ‘MR AL’, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN❗️AMEN❗️AMEN❗️AND TO GOD BE THE GLORY, AMEN❗️❤️🙏🏾
May God’s presence rest over you providing healing, guidance, and strength this day and forward. We pray the love and memories shared will give you joy and peace.
My deepest sympathies to the entire Berry family, friends and those whom were blessed enough to have known my Uncle Alva. He will be sorely missed but I personally am a better man for having known him. VK & Brenda
May God’s presence rest over you providing healing, guidance, and strength this day and forward. We pray the love and memories shared will give you joy and peace.
I love you and I’m so sad to hear about your dad my prayers are with you and your family and please give your mom a hug from me she has lost her best friend and other half but she will see him again in paradise
Debbie thanks for sharing “Dad ” as he is so lovingly known as he will be missed so much as well as his big wide grin. May GOD continue to bless his soul in Heaven .
Condolences & prayers to all as you lay Uncle Alva to rest. Love you all.
Sincerely,
Jep
My condolences to the family. I will keep everyone lifted in prayer for strength, peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Love and comfort is being sent to you all..His strength, honesty,dry wit, will always be remembered.