Obituary: Berry, James William
He was born in Seattle to William and Katherine Berry on December 28, 1929, and the family moved to Spokane shortly thereafter.
He attended Dishman Grade School and West Valley High School, where he was a state champion cross country runner.
Jim graduated from Eastern Washington State College with a Masters in Education and later earned his Doctorate in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Idaho.
During college he met a pretty girl named Barbara Jean Henderson and asked her out on a date.
She said “Why should I go out with you?”
and he replied “Well, you’re going to be my wife some day.
Don’t you think we should get to know one another?”
They were married December 26, 1951 and spent sixty-two years together before she passed away in May, 2013.
Over the course of his career Jim taught history and coached award-winning cross country teams at Rogers and Shadle Park High School, was a guidance counselor at Continuation High School, was president of the Washington State Personnel and Guidance Association, and founded Inland Medical Evaluations.
He loved to ski with his family at Mt.
Spokane and Schweitzer ski resorts; spend summers at the cabin on Upper Twin Lake; go deep-sea fishing; and to travel.
He and Barb were long-time members of Opportunity Presbyterian Church, hosted summer foreign exchange programs for students and served as a crisis home for foster children.
Jim is survived by his children Katherine Smith (Darrell), Luanne Niggemyer (Ken) and Bruce Berry (Kris); grandchildren James Berry, Travis Berry (Tamara), Melinda Smith, Carl Niggemyer (Lise), Emily Smith and Beth Doohan (Marc); and great-grandchild Amelia Berry.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.