Jonesboro – James Albert "Jim" Berry, 97, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023.

Jim was born May 26, 1926 in Lorado to the late Sisro and Ruth Chappell Berry and raised in Greene County Arkansas and the surrounding area near Jonesboro, James Albert Berry was known to all as Jim Berry. His family farmed various crops during his childhood and teenage years until he was drafted by the United States Army at the age of 18. He was sent to Alabama, Oregon and Washington State before being shipped out to Japan. He proudly served his country during World War II for two years in Japan which is where his love of the automotive industry and business began. Working in the Signal Corps and Motor Pool, he developed the lifelong skills to provide for himself and his family.

Upon his return to Arkansas, he worked for several Jonesboro auto dealerships and then taught Auto Mechanics at Jonesboro High School. After teaching 7 years, he and wife, Kathleen, decided to start their own automotive repair business known as Berry Auto Service and then Jim Berry Auto Service a few years later, which they operated for 30 years. His name became a brand of honesty and integrity in the local auto service business and after being retired for nearly 30 years, people still mention how hardworking, honest, trustworthy and reliable he ran the family business. In retirement, he enjoyed using his hands and mind to fix anything that needed repair, tending to his lawn and he also enjoyed restoring his old Chevy work truck to like new condition while hand fabricating many of the parts.

He was a loving husband and father, always devoting time and energy raising his family with strong moral character and work ethic by setting a good example. When the children were young, they would run to greet him at the door when he came home from work, always happy to see their dad with joy in his eyes.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Kathleen Wimpy Berry; a son, Jim Keith Berry (Nancy) of Orlando, FL; a daughter, Jamie Turner (Michael) of North Little Rock; two sisters, Lois Huskey (Claude) of Walnut Ridge and Oneda Waddill of Edmond, Oklahoma; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel with Brad Woodard officiating.

Honorary pallbearers, John Turner, Jaeden Turner, Tread Woodard, Daniel Zamora, Doug Peters and Jerry Hayes.