Francis Clifford Berry

Francis Clifford Berry of Northport, formerly of Birmingham, died January 5, 2013 at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services will be Monday, January 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham with the Reverend Marc Burnette of Canterbury Episcopal Chapel in Tuscaloosa officiating and Ridout’s Valley Chapel directing. Visitation will be at Valley Chapel from 2:00 to 3:00 pm preceding the service.

Mr. Berry was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jacqueline Meeks Berry of Birmingham, Alabama and his parents, Robert Clifford and Fannie Scoggin Berry of Selma, Alabama.

He is survived by his daughters, Judith Berry Strickland of Northport and Jane Berry Searcy (Joe III) of Tuscaloosa; five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Berry was born in Selma, Alabama and attended high school in Birmingham, Alabama before enlisting in the United States Merchant Marines in 1942. He served his country until the close of World War II in 1945. He married the former Mary Jacqueline Meeks in 1944. He was a 1949 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Engineering. After graduating from college, he worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron Company in Birmingham, Chicago and Houston before retiring to form his own consulting firm. A pioneer in his field, he developed the technique of ultrasound for use in nondestructive testing in industry. His technique has been used for over a half century in areas from space exploration to oil storage to nuclear power containment. A member of the society of Professional Engineers, he spearheaded projects on every continent in the world. He is a past president and fellow of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, receiving a lifetime achievement award in 1986.

Condolences may be offered at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com. Family suggests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404