Memorial
Darrel E. Berry, 77 of Delhi, died at his home Monday, March 5th with the love of his family surrounding him. He defied a prognosis of cancer with all the positivity & courage in the same way he lived his life. He continued to “live” until he died. Memorial service for Darrel will be Saturday, March 17th 2018 at the Chapel of Memories in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at 11am. Burial will follow the service in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Darrel married Janet Jensen November 7th, 1960 in Keister, MN. Shortly after, they moved to Cedar Rapids, IA., where they resided for 35 years before retiring at their lake home in Delhi. Darrel was the epitome of a self-made man. The success of his ventures was the result of the sheer will power of a determined man. His commercial property companies exist today as do many other companies he contributed to through partnerships and seed monies.
He was a passionate family man and community minded person. He achieved a great deal in his life via these passions. In 1971 he founded the Metro Youth Football Association, a youth sports program that brings together over 2,000 volunteers, players and families each year. Metro Youth teaches kids about participation, inclusion & good sportsmanship - not just about winning. 45 years later and it’s still a vital community program and still going strong. Darrel was also a dedicated Boy Scout Master for 24 years. He mentored many young men all the way to Eagle Scout all the while ensuring other scout members had the resources needed for a successful program.
He was the founder & Charter President of the Cedar Rapids Sunrise Rotary. He loved the weekly meetings, outings and annual trips made with fellow Rotarians. He spent many hours volunteering his time for community functions, chairing boards and giving back to his community. The creed of his Rotary was the essence of Darrel, “Service above Self”.
Darrel was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt & fish. Many fall weekends were spent at Kinnick stadium cheering on the Hawkeyes or road trips to Chicago to champion his Chicago Bears. He has been a contributor of the University of Iowa Athletics program for the past 47 years.
He had many professional accomplishments but his dedication, above all, was to his family. He looked forward to those days of gathering everyone together for the holidays or just a day of fishing with his grandkids or boating with friends and family at Lake Delhi. He loved nothing more than an evening fire on his deck surrounded by his family, telling his stories to make us laugh and all the while fulfilling his deepest love which was to simply be with his family. He tended gently and carefully to our family hearth & home. We will miss his laugh, his jokes and his caring ways. Rest peacefully dear loved one …until we meet again.
He is preceded in death by his son, Shane Berry, his parents and a sister, Bonnie Meyer.
Darrel is survived by his wife Janet Berry of Delhi, his son Troy (Penny) Berry of Cedar Rapids, his daughter Shawn (Dave) Lock of Packwood, four granddaughters, Taylor, Payton, Hunter and Scout Lock and his sister Kathy (Dale) Roberts of Rockwell, IA.
Memorial gifts or contributions can be made to the Darrel Berry Charitable Foundation, 1950 Dodge Rd. N.E. Suite 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 5402. A special heartfelt thanks to Regional Medical Center Hospice of Manchester, IA. For the support and care given while he was in your care.