Johnnie James Berry

Johnnie James Berry, 90, of Madisonville, died at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 13 at NHC Healthcare in Madisonville. \ He was born July 24, 1917 in White Plains, Ky., to Clem and Sophia Ann Whitfield Berry and was preceded in death by his parents, and four sisters; Naomi Moore, Connie McCoy, Luro Mills, and Nora Tootsie Adcock. \ He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Bassett Berry and five children, John A. (Andy) Berry of St. Louis, Mo.; Barbara Jessup and husband Dennis of Paducah, Ky., Douglas D. Berry and wife Janet of Madisonville, Ky., William G. (Bill) Berry, and David C. Berry and wife Brenda, of Louisville, Ky., as well as twelve grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. \ He was a graduate of Madisonville High School and served in the U.S. Navy (R) from 1942-46 and at discharge was Storekeeper First Class. \ His first job was as a paperboy for The Madisonville Messenger. He later became an apprentice/journeyman Linotype operator and news photographer for the Messenger before he went into the service. After serving in the Navy he returned to Madisonville as co-owner and operator of Pate Printing Company, now American Printing Company. He became sole owner, moved and expanded the business from Center Street to its present location on North Main Street and in 1997 sold the business to its present owner. His development and organization of a record-keeping system for the mining industry met federal standards and is still used nationwide today. He also owned and operated Messenger Job Printing Company in Owensboro Ky. for several years and was a member of the International Typographical Union. He co-founded Economy Rentals in Madisonville. \
He was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church attending Christ The King Church in Madisonville. He served on various committees at Immaculate Conception Church and School in Earlington, Ky., and later at Christ The King Church. He was instrumental in the building of Christ The King Church in Madisonville in 1968. Mr. Berry was a member of the Madisonville Country Club, the Madisonville Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the VFW, and also was a supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, holding the Bronze Pelican Award. He also was a Kentucky Colonel. \ He enjoyed work, photography, dancing, fishing, camping, golfing, and traveling. \ Visitation will be held on Friday, September 14th from 4 to 8 p,m, at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church until the services. The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ The King Catholic Church in Madisonville with Rev. Gerald Calhoun as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. \ Honorary Pallbearers: George Adcock, Eddie Ballard, Jerry Bowling, John Ausenbaugh, Sherrill Calhoun, Gene Lloyd Davis, Walt Jordan, Don Schaust, and John Thompson. \ Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to the Christ the King Catholic Church Building Fund. \ Online condolences may be made at www.barnettstrother.com. \