Jonathon “Jon” Russell Berry, 41, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2018, at his home in Florence. He was born on February 11, 1977 in Birmingham to Jim and Diane Berry. He spent his early years in Birmingham, Albertville, and Tuscumbia. He later made Florence his home. Visitation will be Sunday 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, and a graveside service officiated by Rev. DeWayne Crumley will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Colbert Memorial Gardens.
Jon was a graduate of Deshler High School (1995), the University of North Alabama (2001), and Athens State College (2006). At Deshler he was a member of the football team and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at UNA. He loved to fish, was fascinated by wildlife, especially reptiles, and was a pretty good banjo picker. He had a passion for getting to know people and had a gift of hospitality. He remembered almost everyone he ever knew and never failed to greet them whenever they met. He spent the majority of his working years as a server, first at Ricatoni’s, and then at various other restaurants in the Shoals area.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Russell and Polly Berry of Scottsburg, Indiana, and Vaudie Coffey of Moulton. Survivors include his parents, Jim and Diane Berry; sister, Jennifer Wagnon, nephews, Garrett and Hayden Wagnon, all of Tuscumbia; grandfather, Hayden Coffey of Moulton; uncle, Johnny (Daphen) Coffey of Trussville; aunts, Donna (Roger) Hunter of Oneonta and Donita (Jack) Moody of Vernon; as well as his extended family of cousins and cherished friends. He also leaves behind his beloved companions for many years, his kitties, Milo and Zoom.
In recent months Jon had struggled with both mental and physical health problems. The Berry family encourages everyone to aggressively seek help for themselves or loved ones at the first sign of anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or any other brain disease. They can destroy a body just as surely as any physical illness.
Please make memorial donations to PAWS, 2701 Mall Rd., Florence, AL, 35630, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 747Third Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, or to the charity of your choice.
