Elbert James Berry

ARLINGTON -- Elbert James "E.J" Berry, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Arlington. Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Maj. Mark Pemberton officiating. Interment: 2:30 p.m. in Dawson Cemetery, Dawson. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. E.J. was born Sept. 25, 1931, in Corsicana to James Eugene Berry and Ola Elene Flowers Berry. He was raised in Corsicana and played for the Tigers Football Championship team in 1949. He was named a Dallas Morning News All-State Fullback. E.J. was a U.S. Army veteran. He served as a chemical biological and radiological defense specialist during the Korean War. He served in the Army Engineers in Okinawa. He was a resident of Alvarado for the past 34 years and a member of Alvarado Church of Christ. Prior to that he lived in Arlington for 18 years, and was a member of North Davis Church of Christ. E.J. retired in sales and customer service with Southwest Tire and Supply in Dallas after 21 years of service. An avid sportsman known as the "Big Basser," he enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved the outdoors. E.J. was a volunteer with the Arlington Optimist and Little League Sports for many years. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jared Berry, in 1987. Survivors: Wife of 63 years, Frankie Nell Shaw Berry; son, Tim Berry and wife, Sandy, of Austin; daughter, Jennifer Berry Pemberton and husband, Bill, of Lewisville; sister, Peggy Jean Odom of San Antonio; sister-in-law, Virginia Hale of DeSoto; grandchildren, Mark Pemberton, T.J. Berry, Ashley Ransom, Luke Berry, Nick Berry and Emily Berry; and great-grandchildren, Kenleigh Grace Pemberton and Emery Faith Pemberton. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233