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BORN
1933
DIED
2025
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Thomas Berry Obituary
March 12, 1933 - January 2, 2025
Thomas Dailey Berry, 91, of Roanoke, VA, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at his home.
Thomas or Tom as he was known was born on March 12, 1933, in Montvale, a son of the late Samuel Dailey Berry and Dororthy Hunter Berry. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his brother, Garland Banks Berry and nephew, Garland Banks Berry Jr.
Tom was born in Montvale, VA, and attended Montvale High School. He later moved to Roanoke with his family, married and raised his family. He served in the United States Army as an MP and was stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He attended Concord College and Ferrum College where he played football, basketball and baseball. He later graduated from Upper Iowa State. He worked for 33 years at Shenandoah Life Insurance and after retirement worked at Hunting Hills Country Club Pro Shop for 25 years. He loved all sports. He coached fast pitch softball and American Legion Post 3 baseball, was a high school and collegiate basketball referee, and continued umpiring girls' softball until he was 86. His impact on his community and young athletes is profound. He was an inductee in the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame and in the Ferrum College Hall of Fame.
He loved his family and relished the times when they were all together. He spent as much time as possible with his three grandchildren sharing his stories and life experiences that they cherish and will carry forward. His daughter was his rock and he hers.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Berry Paplomatas and son-in-law, James Vincent Paplomatas, of Pittsburgh, PA; three grandchildren, Thomas Alexander Paplomatas of Grapevine, TX, Julia Grace Paplomatas of Raleigh, NC, and Anna Daley Paplomatas of Pittsburgh, PA; and a sister, Dorothy Berry Flinchum and brother-in-law, Thomas Flinchum of Cloverdale, VA. He is also survived by nieces and great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Oakey's South Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Oakey's South Chapel. Interment to follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be shared with his family at www.Oakeys.com.
Oakey's Funeral Service - South Chapel
Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Berry
Sponsored by Oakey’s South Chapel.
Dan Baker
April 16, 2025
Sorry to hear about Mr Berry. I took care of his yard the last few years. I actually mowed his yard the other day and saw afterwards that the house was empty. He was always so good to me.
Barbara Dyer
January 8, 2025
Jennifer, I am so sorry for your loss. I was not able to get out today to see you due to the weather. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Love, Barbara Dyer
Barbara Dyer
January 8, 2025
Jennifer,I'm so sorry for your loss and that I couldn't get out to see you.the weather has me afraid to get out. My love and sympathy will be with you.Barbara Dyer.
Sam Croft
January 8, 2025
My friend Tom Berry was a true gentleman and a mentor to me as I charted my career as a sports official,I was lucky to share so many good times with you,Our sincere condolences to Jennifer and her family.Godspeed my friend,Sam and Jean Croft
Jane Humphries
January 8, 2025
Tom was a friend and a neighbor on White Pelican Lane. Also enjoyed working with Tom for so many years at Shenandoah Life. I enjoyed so much reading Tom's OB. I had no idea of all his accomplishments. Was a blessing to learn about him. May God Bless each of you and may wonderful memories flood your heart to take away the sadness and loss you feel now.
jim thompson
January 5, 2025
so sorry tom died. a great friend and fellow football official with tom and garland both. condolences to his family. jim thompson
Whitney Maddox
January 5, 2025
I´m so very sorry. My. Berry was a dear friend of my dad, Sam Webb.
Hartley Gaston
January 5, 2025
Tom worked for me at SLI.He was an amazingly nice and friendly fellow. When he retired I helped him get a job at the country club where he worked another 25 years. He will surely be missed by many people.
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