Dear Duke,

I  remember the two of us being introduced thru your mother,  Lydia 
and Dr. Ann Sterling, of Sterling Health Food on a Christmas visit
to your pink Castle and artesian lake on Gembler Rd.  We were
both only ten years old, and even then you had a great interest in
20 & 30 foot leather bull whips,  which Lydia & Red would bring
back from various trips.   I often tell my grandchildren that I once
held a white paper tube in my mouth,  and you cracked it out with
cracker of bull whip.  You would snap that paper out of my mouth.
And we fenced, and we rowed boats, and roamed the cedar woods
and nearly escaped a diamond back rattler who was coiled up on
a rock.  All I remember was the two of us backing slowly away and
screaming all the way home.   I recall a day when you warned me not
to get on a "paint" horse that was a retired race horse of your fathers.   I wish I had listened to you, because that horse took off &
your mother jumped in a pick up with Roland, the forman, and they
raced after me making a sign of the Holy Cross all the way.  Well,
at 13, I'd seen enough Westerns with you to know this was not
good, and terrified I jumped off into a bush of cactus, I think.  Only
scratched and shaken, I've yet to get on another horse.   
        I see your freckled face,  and thick shock of red hair every time
I hear "The Emperor's Waltz", because it was the one piano piece
you learned for recital.   I remember the two of us were ushered
out of a movie once at TheTexas Theatre, for dropping a little
sand on the usher from upstairs.  But....we were  eleven years
old.   
       I moved back to San Antonio in 2005, and I hoped to find you.
At one point,  I noticed that "The Red Berry Mansion"  on Gembler
Rd.  was selling tickets to a public poker tournament.  My husband
and I attended, although I do not play cards at all.  But, there was
a sense of melancholy and joy remembering the many weekends 
as kids, when your motherLydia invited me there.  
   
   
       
  

My sister and I loved  Duke. We played at his home and always his mother was so kind. He was in love with my sister. He always said he was gonna marry her. Never a unkind word from his mouth. So sorry my friend always remembered. I would swim in your pool and lake. We would have great treats. Thank you so much. Although we were poor he treated us kindly. He loved tiger milk cookies. He would share with my sister. Love Peace 

Duke and his mother were so good to me and I know they are in heaven. with mr. Berry now.
I was his protector after Larry died and we had many good times in Vegas.
with all my love good friend Michael Narciso, his wrestlerfriend.

Growing up on the East Side of SanAntonio I got to know Duke.He was friends with Larry Crane the best VW mechanic ,Larry was Dukes protector and watched out for Duke. For years Id see Duke at events Rodeo ,car show , He always recognized me , I remember how handy he was with the bull whip ,He will be missed by SanAntonio.

Lydia I'm sure you took good care of him in his later years. I wish I would have gotten out to see you and Duke in Boerne. Sorry I didn't make it to the funeral.

 I wish we had not lost touch Duke , I tried to find you on FaceBook , then at our Cherokee Reunion someone said you had moved out of state.. Duke I hope your new journey on the other side takes you to good places. You were a good person and will be missed by all who knew you...I wish you would have made it to our High School Reunion , it was at Comanche Park. There weren't many from our class there but it was good to see the ones who were there--God Bless And keep you....

I remember a very happy and sweet Duke from our high school years at Sam Houston High, & the parties his parents hosted at their estate. Blessings, Barbara McDonald Gee

OBITUARY

Duke Edward "Red" Berry

August 30, 1938 – February 1, 2016

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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