Darrel Lewis Berry

Darrel Lewis Berry, 77, passed away Monday, October 13 at his home. Darrel was born in Camden, TN on September 12, 1948, to the late W.O. Berry and Reba Rushing Berry. Darrel was also preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Robertson Berry and his brother, Gary Owen Berry. Darrel is survived by his daughter, Holly Berry-Seaton and husband Brad Seaton of Cache, Oklahoma and Grandchildren, Jacee and Bryce Seaton. He is also survived by his brothers, Danny Berry of Big Sandy, TN, Steve Berry of Henry, TN, and Sisters Rita Tubbs of Big Sandy, TN, Diann Brinkley of Jackson, TN and many other special family members and friends.
Darrel was a member of Rushings Creek Baptist Church and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1966. After graduation, he moved to Nashville, TN and worked as a machinist at Skyline Manufacturing. Shortly after moving to Nashville, he proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on November 7, 1966. While serving in the Marine Corps, he was stationed at Okinawa, Japan and Camp Lejeune, NC. After being honorably discharged from the USMC, Darrel joined the United States Army in 1972 and was stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky. Darrel was also the owner/operator of Berry Machine and Tool (BMT), with locations in both Lawton, OK and Camden, TN. BMT is known in the tire industry as a leader in tire mold repair and serviced the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Lawton, Oklahoma for over 46 years. If you knew Darrel, then you knew that he was a true patriot in every sense of the word and loved his God, Family, Corps and Country. He also developed a passion for aviation while in the military and obtained his Private Pilot's License in 1978. Darrel had over 8,000 flight hours and held multiple aircraft ratings (including commercial, instrument, private multi-engine and rotorcraft-helicopter). Darrel enjoyed bringing the history of World War II aviation to his community. He is well known in his local community of Benton County, TN for his service as a strong participant and organizer in local career days and aviation days, where he displayed his vast collection of vintage military aircraft and vehicles for all to see, learn, and appreciate their history.
Darrel was an integral part of helping construct the Benton County Veterans Memorial Park and was also a past chairman of the Benton County Airport Board (where he helped accomplish planning and expanding the current facility). Darrel was a member of several warbird pilot associations including T-34, T-6, and Bird dog. He was a member of the Tennessee Warbirds 1st squadron, founding member of the Ridgerunner flight team, and was a lead pilot for the T-34 association FAST team (Formation and Safety Team) which is dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in restored, vintage military aircraft. He also held a type rating for one of the very few flying C/G –TBM Avenger in general aviation.
Owner of BMT Aviation, he enjoyed hosting Fly-Ins and Air Shows in the community through the years, as well as attending Fly-Ins across the country. He especially enjoyed attending the annual EAA AirVenture in Wisconsin, where the highlight of his year was spending the week enjoying the sights and sounds of Osh Kosh in the Warbird Campground, while visiting and reuniting with his family, fellow pilots and old friends. In November, Darrel will be inducted posthumously into the EAA Warbird Aviation Hall of Fame in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin.
Darrel Berry's Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Sunday October 19, 2025 at the BMT Aviation Hangar at Berry Flying Field, 3328 Reynoldsburg Rd, Camden, TN. Interment with Military Honors will follow after the Celebration of Life at the Dennis Rushing Cemetery, Reynoldsburg Rd, Camden, TN. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darrel, please visit our floral store.