A memorial service for Richard West “Dicky” Berry, 54, will be on Friday,
April 22, 2011, at First Methodist Church in Leesville, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be starting at 1 p.m. at the church.
Dicky passed away at his home in Leesville. Dicky was a 1975 graduate of Leesville High School and an active member of
the LHS Alumni Association. He served in numerous positions including president and was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 2010. He was always an avid Wampus Cat fan and enjoyed his reunions and visiting with his classmates and other friends.
Dicky also had an avid love for history. He was the president of the West Louisiana Historical and Genealogy Association for two years. This association was a collection of historical and genealogical lovers that worked together to unpack the
history that surrounded them.
Dicky attended college at Northwestern State University where he was a member of Gamma Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. His days with his fellow brothers were times that he always regarded as memorable.
He was always interested in state and local politics and served on the Democratic State Central Committee as a representative of Vernon Parish.
Dicky was one who never met a stranger. During his career, his many jobs brought him to
Dallas, Orlando and Atlanta. At each of these locations he made many good friends. He enjoyed getting together with these friends often and always remained in contact with them either through Facebook, email or phone calls. People always remarked
that no matter how long it had been since they had talked, Dicky would make you feel like it was just yesterday.
Dicky was employed as the Mainstreet Manager for the City of Leesville and was instrumental in developing activities in
downtown Leesville. His love of people and civic pride made this a job that he loved and was devoted too. He enjoyed working with the merchants of downtown Leesville and the many activities he worked at to bring citizens to the downtown area.
Dicky is survived by his parents, Richard “Dick” and Patricia “Pat” Berry of Leesville, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Lisa and Greg “Frank” Franklin of Anacoco and Denise and Eddie Esserman of St. Simon Island, Ga., brother and sister-in-law,
Jimmy and Marty Berry of Lake Charles; nieces Tiffany Franklin and Hanna Esserman; and nephews James and Matthew Berry.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard W. “Dicky” Berry Jr. Memorial
Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1381, Leesville, Louisiana, 71496.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Berry family at www.labbymemorial.com.