A memorial service for Richard West “Dick” Berry, Sr., 75, will be held at
2 p.m. on May 22 at First Baptist Church in Leesville. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the church. Dick passed away on May 19, 2012.
Dick was born on Nov. 7, 1936 in DeRidder. He was a retired businessman and worked many years in the
retail industry in his family business with Gibson’s department stores with locations in Clute, Nacogdoches, Texas, Leesville, Marksville and Jena.
After his retirement, he spent his time working with the LHS Alumni Association. He was a
1954 graduate of Leesville High School and a founding member of the Alumni Association. He served in numerous positions with the association, including three terms as president. He was instrumental in growing the association and coordinating the
annual alumni homecoming activities. He was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 1980. He was very supportive of the Alumni Association and enjoyed the many reunions with his classmates and other friends.
He was an active member of the
community, having served as Chairman of the Vernon Parish Housing Authority and a member of the Anacoco Prairie Game and Fish Commission.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, T.L. Berry, Sr. and Denise West Berry of Leesville; his
son, Richard W. “Dicky” Berry, Jr., and Brother Donny Berry. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hanchey Berry of Leesville; his daughters and son-in-laws, Lisa and Greg “Frank” Franklin of Anacoco, and Denise and Eddie Esserman of St. Simon Island,
Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Marty Berry of Lake Charles; brothers, T. L. “Sonny” Berry, Jr., and Randy Berry; granddaughter, Tiffany Franklin Koch and husband Nathan; granddaughter Hanna Esserman and grandsons, James and Matthew
Berry.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Richard W. “Dick” Berry Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1381, Leesville, La., 71496.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Berry family at
www.labbymemorial.com.