James Hugh Berry

James Hugh Berry, 92, was born April 16, 1931, at Hancock, Michigan, son of James and Mary Berry, one of 7 children. James (Jim), retired Human Resources Director and semi-pro hockey player, departed this life December 20, 2023.

Jim grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from high school there. He attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he continued his interest in playing hockey. He joined the US Air Force and was assigned to atomic energy in the 109th special weapons squadron, stationed at the Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, where he played on the hockey team and was voted to the all- star team and then at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA. His squadron received a Presidential Citation for outstanding achievement in atomic energy. He finished his college career at the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where he also played semi-pro hockey for the 402 Lounge team and coached his high school hockey team.

He started his career in city government in Spokane, WA, in 1967 and did post graduate work at Gonzaga University and at the University of Nevada. He studied law at the University of Denver. In 1973, he moved with his wife, Esther and two children, Lynn and Thomas, to Reno, NV, where he was Human Resources Director and Chief Labor Negotiator. While in Reno, he testified twice before the US Congressional Committees for the State of Nevada and was also involved in the gaming industry. From 1989 to 1992, he took care of his ailing father. After the death of his father, Jim moved to Colorado Springs and later to Garden City, KS.

Jim was Human Resources Director for the City of Garden City for 12 years. It was in Garden City where he met and married Susan (Haskins) Wycoff. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Denver, CO. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Reno and served on the board of trustees. He worked with the United Way for many years and served on the board in various states.

While working for the City of Garden City, Jim also served as liaison for the Cultural Relations Board. He enjoyed helping the Vietnamese community with various community projects and attended many of their functions while establishing close friendships. He helped serve in planning the annual Martin Luther King celebrations, the Hispanic La Fiesta Cinco de Mayo, the cultural diversity breakfast, Garden City’s 125th celebration, and in many other capacities and fund raisers for the community, including the Kansas Sampler.

Jim loved reading, especially American history, playing golf and was an avid sports fan. He was also a member of the Reno Opera Club and enjoyed classical, choral and big band music. He also kept abreast of the political scene and read many books about America’s presidents, especially Abraham Lincoln.

Jim and Susan moved to Wichita, KS, after retirement and later to Bixby, OK, to be closer to family because of Jim’s failing health. They recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. They both were cancer survivors. Jim also suffered with lymphedema and Susan was his caretaker for the past several years until his death.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Jane and 5 brothers, Richard, Donald, Edwin, Lou and Chuck; and his son Thomas. He leaves his wife, Susan of Bixby, OK; daughter, Lynn and husband Scott O’Brien of Sparks, NV; bonus children, Carla Henton, and husband Daryl, Dodge City, Travis Wycoff and wife Lacy, Broken Arrow, OK, Chanda Murphy and husband Joe, Bixby, OK; 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and many friends.

In remembrance of Jim’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, OK, at portacaelihouse.org/donate or to the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (lymphaticnetwork.org).

Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Home, 2929 W. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67203. Interment will be at the Argonia Cemetery, West 10th Avenue, just east of Argonia on Highway 160, Argonia, KS 67004, following the funeral service.