Thomas Patrick Berry, Ltc(Ret)

Thomas Patrick Berry, LTC (USA, Ret), 69, of Phenix City, AL passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Piedmont Columbus Regional.

A memorial service will be held 2pm Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Vance Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 at the funeral home.

Tom was born in Reno, Nevada on April 12, 1948 to the late Robert Emmet Berry and Viola Blanche Cunningham Berry. LTC Berry’s career spans over 21 years of military service and saw tours of duty at Ft. Knox, KY; Ft. Carson, CO; Ft. Benning, GA; Seoul, South Korea; and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He was a Test Officer and Jumper with the U.S. Army Airborne Test Board, Ft. Bragg, NC.

His military education included Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne and Ranger Schools, Marine Amphibious Warfare School and Command and General Staff College. His military awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Overseas Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantry Badge and Master Parachutist Badge.

LTC Berry retired from the Army in 1992 and went to work for the accounting firm Albright, Fortenberry and Ninas of Columbus, GA as a staff accountant in January 1995 and became a partner with the firm in January 2006. Tom was a dedicated team member and a caring friend and mentor to all the employees and clients of the firm.

Mr. Berry’s civilian education included both a Bachelor’s Degree from West Point and Master’s Degree from the University of New Mexico in Mechanical Engineering in 1980. After retirement from the Army, Mr. Berry graduated with honors from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1994 and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Taxation that same year.

Tom was an avid Auburn Fan and had a strong love for animals to include many dogs, horses and cats.

He is survived by his loving wife Anne Martin-Berry; son, Eric Martin; sisters, Kathy Berry Hilton (husband Alan) and Aileen Berry; nieces, Alicia Hilton Truhill (husband Travis), their children Jake and Olivia and Allison Hilton Morian (husband Nathan), their children Colby and Drew; other family, Ed Gladding (wife Phyllis) and their sons, Ryan Gladding (wife Amber) and EJ Gladding (wife Christina); several extended family members and a great number of dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FisherHouse.org.

Online condolences may be shared at www.vancememorialchapel.net