Leonard Berry

Leonard E. "Lightening" Berry, Sr., 93, of Monahans, passed away Monday, March 9, 2015 at Ward Memorial Hospital. He was born September 26, 1921 in Lamar, Arkansas to Ferman Wesley and Ollie (Sindle) Berry.

He proudly served his country as an infantryman from 1942 - 1945, during World War II, where he earned 5 overseas service bars. "Lightening" served with the 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" in battles and campaigns in Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy. The Bronze Star is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for acts of heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone; Leonard earned 7 of these awards during his 3 years of honorable, selfless service. When he returned home, he moved to Monahans, where he worked as a driller.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Louise Berry; parents, Ferman and Ollie Berry; brother, Ferman Berry; and sisters, Bernice Harline and Pauline Parks.

"Lightening" is survived by his sons, Leonard Eugene Berry, Jr. and wife Linda of Dickenson, ND and Timothy E. Berry and wife Doris of Celina, TX; daughter, Carolyn Starustka of Monahans; sister, Joyce Tucker of Davenport, Iowa; 8 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 12, 2015 from 1 - 8 PM and Friday, March 13, 2015 from 9 AM - 8 PM at Harkey Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 1 PM at Christian Fellowship with Pastor Jimmy Bryant officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Monahans Memorial Cemetery.