San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
The Rev. Charles “Chuck” H. Berry, Jr.
July 31, 1927 - February 15, 2024
Charles Herbert Berry, Jr, son of Rev. Charles H. (Jack) Berry, Sr. and Edith Lucille Brock Berry was born on July 31, 1927, in Rochester, MN, and entered eternal life on Thursday, February 15, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife Zona K. Berry. They had been married for 67 years. Charles was preceded in death by his sister Patricia Lucille Berry McKewin. He leaves behind a family legacy through his daughter Kristine Riojas and her husband Rudy Riojas, and his son Paul Berry and wife Pamela Berry. He has three granddaughters: Jennifer Riojas Shelby and husband William Hunter Shelby, Stephanie Riojas Russom, and her husband Keith Allen Russom, and Dr. Amanda Berry. Three greatgrandchildren: Noah and Charles Shelby and Julia Russom.
Charles was a devout Christian, ordained Deacon in St. Clements Episcopal Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, February 21, 1954. He was then ordained Priest in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Duluth, Minnesota, October 8, 1954. Charles retired as Rector from St. Stephens
Episcopal Church, San Antonio in 1991.
Charles was currently a member of St Boniface Episcopal Church in Comfort, Texas. He attended as a member of the congregation but would often officiate services at the request of either the Vicar, or the Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas. Charles was actively involved with youth throughout his ministry through the Department of Camps and Conferences for the Diocese. His favorite times were being involved with events at Camp Capers. He trained and mentored many youth in the services of being an acolyte, Vacation Bible Schools, Episcopal Young Churchmen (EYC), and taught God and Country courses for the Boy Scouts of America.
Charles was actively involved as a resident at Menger Springs located in Boerne, TX. He enjoyed friends and the community fellowship. This relationship with Morningside Ministries started back in Charles early days in San Antonio. He was an active member of the Board of Directors for Morningside Ministries, and specifically Morningside Manor.
Charles was a WWII veteran, having served honorably in the Unites States Naval Reserve, aboard the USS Blound (AK-163). He was a member of Honor Flight San Antonio, Flight Number 015 in September 2022, and was also a member of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Soaring Valor.
Charles was an avid RV owner, whose adventures and travels started in the late 1950’s with a tent-camper. Since his normal work week included weekends, Charles took his family on one month-long summer vacations throughout the US. His and Zona’s RV life progressed through the years with memberships in multiple travel associations including the Avion Travelcade Club and Fleetwood Bounder groups.
The family wants to extend is sincere appreciation to the doctors and nurses of Methodist Hospital’s Neuro ICU, who took extremely great care of Charles before, during, and after his surgery.
A memorial service will be on Monday, March 4, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at the Chapel of St. John’s within the Bishop Jones Center of
Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Charles with a memorial may send donations to the following: Department of Camps and Conferences, the Diocese of West Texas, or the Honor Flight San Antonio, 14080 Nacogdoches Road, Box 340, San Antonio TX, 78247.