Joseph Bartow Berrong

Berrong Joseph Bartow Berrong, passed away May 30, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Towns County, Georgia, on June 28, 1917, to parents, Grover and Lassie Berrong. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ralph and sisters, Ruth and Marie. After high school, Joe joined the Air Force, from which he retired after 22 years as a Master Sergeant. His last 12 years were spent as a Special Investigator for the Office of Special Investigation. Joe married Florence Weatherford in San Marcos, Tex., on October 31, 1943. The marriage lasted 64 1/2 years and produced three children, Dr. Joseph M. Berrong, Dorothy K. Cramer, a teacher and Cynthia E. Berrong, an artist. There are four grandchildren and spouses as well as eight great-grandchildren, of whom they are very proud. Joe became a member of the Masonic Lodge in San Marcos on August 7, 1946. In August of 1982, he was elected to membership in Parson's Lodge # 222 and also to Austin Lodge # 12 on August 3, 1985. He progressed to Grand Master of Parson's Lodge. Joe was active in the Scottish Rites and holds the rank and honor of 32nd Degree Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. He is past governor of the San Hedrin and was a member of the Ben Hur Temple. He received the Honorary Legion of Honor for outstanding service in the community. Brother Berrong was voted the Golden Trowel Award by members of Parson's Lodge # 222. Joe, Florence and the children moved from Anchorage, Alaska to Austin, Tex., in the fall of 1954, where they lived for 53 years. On May 1, 2007, they moved to San Antonio to be near their son and daughter-in-law. Joe and Florence were members of the University United Methodist Church of Austin. Among his many other talents, Joe had the incredible ability to build or repair anything as his friends and colleagues can attest.. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m.,Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Kyle Cemetery in Kyle, Texas. Please visit http://www.mem.com for an online memorial and tributes. Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, at 6321 Bandera Road in San Antonio, Texas 78238, (210) 521-2111