Carl Thomas Berry Jr.
Morris, IL — Carl Thomas Berry, Jr., Captain (ret.), U.S. Navy, aged 77, of Morris, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Greater Peoria Specialty Hospital. He was born May 23, 1946, in Dalton, Georgia as the only child to Carl T. Berry (Sr.), a World War II veteran and small business owner, and Mary Ellen Berry (Adams, later Miller), who worked in code breaking for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Carl, an Eagle Scout, graduated in 1964 as Valedictorian of Dalton High School, where he played baseball, football, and basketball. Carl, unfortunately, lost his father to cancer during his senior year of high school.
Carl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis Maryland, in 1968 and a Master of Science Engineering from Princeton University in 1970. Although he originally wanted to be a pilot and astronaut, due to declining eyesight, he opted to enter the submarine service. After interviewing with Admiral Hyman Rickover, he was accepted to U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School.
Following his education, during the Cold War, Carl served on numerous submarines in the United States Navy, including later in his career as executive officer of the U.S.S. New York City (fast attack), commanding officer of the U.S.S. Buffalo (fast attack), and commanding officer of the U.S.S. Alaska (ballistic missile submarine). Carl was stationed primarily at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (where he met his wife of 47 years, Barbara Berry (Laitila)), but was also based for a time in Norfolk, Virginia, Groton Connecticut, Kitsap, Washington and Pensacola, Florida.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Carl worked at Exelon Nuclear in Illinois, before retiring in 2017.
Carl was an avid golfer and golf fan throughout his life and enjoyed his decades of living at the Nettle Creek Country Club neighborhood. Carl was also a football and baseball fan, following the Cowboys, Yankees, Dalton Catamounts and Morris Redskins (whose game he would often frequent). He also enjoyed visiting his friends and relatives in his hometown of Dalton, GA, of which he was always proud, and his son’s family in Tampa, Florida. He also enjoyed regular trips to visit Barbara’s large family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Carl is remembered by his family as a hard worker who could fix anything.
Carl is survived by his wife, Barbara of Morris Illinois, his sons Carl Berry (Beth), of Tampa, Florida, and Dr. Adam Berry, of Springfield, Illinois; Carl’s children, Liam, Lillian (Lily) and Nathan. His brother-in-law William Laitila of Hancock, Michigan, and sister-in-law Karen Johnson of Houghton, Michigan, brother-in-law, John Boyle of Greenville, South Carolina; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather of many years, Francis Miller, his brother-in-law, Dr. Edward Laitila, and his sister-in-law Helen Boyle (Latila).
Carl’s family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the ICU at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois, and the very caring nurses and doctors at the Long-Term Acute Care Unit at Greater Peoria Specialty Hospital.
Memorials may be made in Carl’s name to First United Methodist Church in Morris, Illinois.
A visitation for Carl will be held on Monday October 9, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Morris at 118 W. Jackson Street, Morris, IL. A celebration of Carl’s life will follow at 11:00 a.m.
An online guest book has been created for the family, where you may sign the guest book, share memories and photographs. You may visit our website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with the U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home located at 301 West Washington Street, Morris, IL 60450.