Fred Ogle Berry Sr.

Fred O. Berry, Sr. was the firstborn son of Ralph Lawson Berry, Sr., and Myrtle Henderlight Berry. He attended Mt. Olive Elementary School and graduated from Young High School in 1933. Fred would go to high school dressed in his suit and after class walk to the funeral home and help out with the daily schedule. After graduation, he attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated near the top of his class in 1934. Fred was Vice-President/ Secretary-Treasurer of Berry Funeral Home from 1937-1951 and President and Owner from 1951-1976.

He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1945 as a Pharmacist Mate 2 class. During his time in the service, he was attached to the U.S. Marines Fleet Air Wing 16 93rd Marine Air Group and stationed in Brazil as a medical corpsman with the South Atlantic Force. He later served as Captain U.S. Army reserves as commanding officer 394th Graves Registration Company 1947-1961.

In 1948, he pioneered the air-ambulance service in the United States. Fred modeled what he had learned in the Navy when he would fly to the Pacific and European theaters to evacuate the wounded soldiers. Upon his return home he secured one of the first three planes designed for air ambulance service. The Berry Funeral Home Air Ambulance flew to all the United States, Canada, and Mexico helping transport the sick and bringing others home for funeral services. This service lasted for almost twenty years before it was discontinued in 1967.

Fred was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1961 and served there until 1964. He was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1964 and served until 1976. During his tenure as a legislator he was awarded the Conservation Legislator of the Decade 1960-1970, Legislative Conservation Award 1972 and the Distinguished Consumer Safety Award 1971. He was a member of the Rules and Calendar Committee in the Senate, Secretary of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, Chairman of the Senate General Welfare and Environment Committee.

Fred was active in numerous associations and organizations such as Member and Past President of South Knoxville Republican Club, Knox County Bee Keepers Assoc., Young High Alumni Association, President of East Tennessee Wildlife Council, Member of Board of the Better Business Bureau, Member and Past President of Tennessee State Funeral Directors Association 1952-1953, Member and Past President Knoxville Shrine Club, Member and Past Master Masonic Lodge, 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Member Zelma Grotto, York Rite-Knight Templer, Charter member Tennessee Bear and Boar Club, Member of National Funeral Directors Association and served on the Emergency Planning Committee, Deputy Director Knoxville-Knox County Civil Defense. Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Charter member of South Knoxville Rotary, Charter Member Knoxville Lions Club, Charter Member South Knoxville Sertoma Club.

Distinguishing honors such as Honorary Fire Chief, Knoxville; Honorary Captain of Tennessee Highway Patrol. Fist Aid Instructor, having taught thousands of people 1st aid both civil and Military. Award Winner of the Civil Defense Pfizer Award 1961, Award of Merit Tennessee Funeral Directors 1968.

Fred was the father of six children. His sons, Fred O. Berry, Jr. and G. Edward Berry joined him in the funeral business and represented the third generation of the Berry Family to serve the Knoxville community. His son David A. Berry became a successful Chiropractor in the Seymour area. Nancy B. Lee, his only daughter, worked for several years with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and his twin sons, Harrell and Carroll Berry died a few hours after their birth.

Fred sang at numerous weddings and funerals and had a beautiful tenor voice. He loved life and the people of Knoxville. He provided outstanding service and compassion to the community through the funeral home. During his professional career Fred accomplished many things and held many positions, but he will be forever known for the deeds he did for others. His grave marker at Mt. Olive Cemetery states it best, "He served Others"