James “Jim” E. Berry, age 90, of Moulton, AL, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025. He was born November 28, 1934, in West Monroe, LA, the son of Eldred Martin Berry and Florence (Gilbert) Berry,
Jim graduated from Ouachita High School in Monroe and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeast Louisiana University (Louisiana University Monroe) in 1957. After teaching and coaching for five years in Jena and Arcadia, LA, Jim pursued a career in hospital administration. For ten years he managed the Arcadia Hospital in Arcadia, LA. He was then employed by Charter Medical Corporation and served as Assistant Administrator at Desert Springs Hospital, Las Vegas, NV; Administrator of Jacksonville Hospital, Jacksonville, AL and Retreat Hospital, Decatur, AL. In 1978 he began employment with Lifemark Corporation and served as Chief Executive Officer at Park Lane Medical Center, Kansas City, MO for 6 years. In 1984, Jim relocated to Orange, TX and the last five years of hospital administration were at Baptist Hospital, Orange, TX. Due to wife’s family needs, in 1989 Jim moved to Forsyth, MO. During his employment as Administrator, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana and Missouri Hospital Associations, member of the Alabama Governor’s Task Force for Health Care, member of the Board of Directors of Kansas City Hospice, member of Orange County Community Awareness and Emergency Response Steering Committee, member of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Orange County United Way, and an active member of the Orange County Rotary Club.
After arriving in Taney County, Jim became active in the community. He was Chairperson of the Advisory Board appointed by the Taney County Commission and with his leadership developed and implemented a 911 system in Taney County. He served as a member of the Board of Aldermen in the City of Forsyth from 1991 to 1994. He was then elected Mayor of Forsyth and served for 10 years. As Mayor, the sewer system was completed, the Municipal Building was constructed, the Boys and Girls Club/Community Building was built and the plans for improving the water system were completed. He facilitated the purchase of 60-plus acres of the Oremus property along with the water system and wastewater treatment plant.
In December of 1996, Jim became Director of the Taney County Health Department. During his years with the Health Department the activities of the department expanded to meet the needs of the growing community. Examples of this were the establishment of the Children’s Dental Clinic in 2003, employment of an epidemiologist and construction of the Western Office in Branson. In 2005 the Taney County Health Department, in collaboration with the City of Branson Health Department, became the fifth local public health department in the state of Missouri to achieve accreditation. In August of 2007, the City of Branson and the Taney County Health Department decided to integrate the services of Branson Health Department into the Taney County Health Department. In 2009 the Taney County Health Department assumed responsibility of the Taney County Animal Control. During his employment in public health, he served as a member of the Missouri State Board of Health from 2004 to 2008, was active in organizing the Missouri Institute for Community Health and served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2002-2012. Within the organization he served as a member of the accreditation council. With his leadership the Taney County Health Department received national accreditation in 2013.
Jim was a member of Faith Community Health Board and served as an elder of the Community Presbyterian Church. In March 2010 he was appointed to be on the Board of Directors of Skaggs Regional Medical Center. He was involved in the merger with Cox Health and served on the Board of Directors.
In December 2013, Jim retired as Director of the Taney County Health Department after serving in that position for 17 years. His joy while retired was being involved in the community and traveling in the Berry Bus (motor home).
Jim is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother (Arnold Gilbert Berry), sisters (Elaine Whitlock, Helen Burgess, and Ernestine Jones), daughters (Cindi Eppinette and Melissa Berry), and his wife (Margie King Berry). He was married to Anne Gates and had four children; Cindi Eppinette of West Monroe, LA , John “Marty” Berry and his wife Cindy Berry of Atlanta, GA, Melissa Berry of West Monroe, LA, Meredith Grimes and her husband Wayne of Trinity, AL, six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. Margie and Jim were married in 1985, and Jim became second father/grandfather to Margie’s two daughters, Dr. Sara Westgate and her husband, Scott Solkofske of Austin, TX, and Mary Kay Westgate of Hillsborough, NC.
Visitation will be on September 20th at 10 AM with a memorial service immediately following at 11 AM at Community Presbyterian Church, Forsyth, MO.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the James and Margie King Berry Fund for Taney County Youth, C/O Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801; Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 486, Forsyth, MO 65653; Dr. Mary King Long Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 701, Forsyth, MO 65653.
Services are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, 16560 US 160 Forsyth, MO.
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