Boyd Berry

Boyd Lynn Berry, age 77, passed away Friday, February 16 in Atwood, Kansas.

He was born in Colby on October 30, 1946, to Duane and Twila Berry, the first of four children. He started elementary school in Colby and later moved to northern California. He finished high school in Gem, Kansas, then returned back to California to be near his family.

Boyd worked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard (Naval Base) for a few years then took a job closer to home driving for Van Camp Propane Company, near Oakley, Calif. In 1969 he married Sally Frederick and they moved to San Leandro, CA. Later, they moved to Colby, KS and he worked for the City of Colby.

Boyd had several hobbies, but boats, motorcycles, fishing, planes and flying were among his favorites. He could tell you just about everything about any of them. If he didn't know it, he studied it. He loved fishing and won many fishing contests throughout California, Kansas, and Nebraska. He taught many kids how to waterski, drive a boat or fish.

His passion for flying started when he was young as well. While living in Colby he bought a twin-engine plane and received his pilot's license. He and Sally spent a lot of time at the Colby Airport and she had even considered getting her license as well.

Boyd and Sally were married nine years before they parted. The Fredericks have continued to remain his family.

Boyd worked with his father, Duane Berry, with Berry Construction in Colby in the mid 70's. Later, along with some of the other family members, Boyd moved to Trenton, Nebraska where he and his father continued to work in construction.

However, later, Boyd bought a truck and became an independent driver delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement. He then became a seasonal game and parks worker for the Harry Strunk Lake near Cambridge, Nebraska.

In 2016, he relocated to Madison, Kansas to live closer to his family.

Boyd is survived by his brother Randy Berry of Trenton Nebraska and his sister Sheila Jones of Madison, Kansas; nephews and nieces, Shane, Matt and Danielle Jones (Nortier), Shonette and John Daniels, Aaron, Adrienne (Baumfalk), Brian and Elaine Berry and Wade Bryant; mother-in-law Millie Frederick, brothers-in-law, Mike, Jeff and Bubba Frederick, sisters-in-law, Nancy and Merlynne Frederick (Parker); and Sally Sparks.

He was preceded in death by his parents Duane and Twila Berry; sister Loretta Bryant; nephew Jarod Berry; grandparents Clement and Neva Berry and Charlie and Mildred Carpenter.

His family and friends will miss him dearly.

Boyd chose to donate his body to KU Medical Center and will then be cremated. No memorial service is planned, but a tribute will be held by KU Medical Center in the fall of 2025, recognizing all of the 2024 anatomical donors to the Willed Body Program.