Bernard Everett “Eric” Berry Jr., TSgt (Ret), USAF age 86 of Fairborn, OH passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026. He was born May 25, 1940, to the late Bernard Everett Berry Sr. and Margaret (Dow) Berry at home in West Forks, Maine.

Affectionately known in his hometown by family and friends as “Bunny,” he attended Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston, Maine his freshman through junior year before graduating from Bingham High School in Bingham, Maine in 1958.

Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was dubbed the nickname “Eric” by fellow GI friends attempting to guess his middle name. The name stuck from that moment and only on legal documents would he be known by his given name. Eric was stationed at several Air Force bases throughout his military career including Japan, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam.

The four most influential tours during his time in the Air Force include Offutt AFB in Nebraska, where he met his brother in arms, Chuck Gillette. Chanute AFB in Illinois, where he met the love of his life, Marcia Eads. Sembach AB in Germany, where Eric and Marcia spent their five-year honeymoon and welcomed their first daughter, Melissa. Lastly, Wright-Patterson AFB in Fairborn, OH, where he would later make his family’s permanent home, retire, and welcomed their second daughter, Natalie.

Following a distinguished career, he retired with the rank of Technical Sergeant after twenty-three years, one week, and five days of serving in the United States Air Force.

After attending Sinclair Community College, he began his second career in 1983 as a commercial electrical contractor in Dayton and Cincinnati.

His fondest and most proudly achieved moments were defined by his military career and his family. He will be remembered most as a hard-working, loving, and devoted brother, husband, uncle, dad, grandpa, papaw, and papa.

In addition to his parents, Eric is preceded in death by his wife of forty-seven years, Marcia Eads Berry, his brother Thomas Berry, and nephew, Kevin Berry.

He leaves behind his two daughters, Melissa (Josh) Howard of Fairborn, OH and Natalie (Steve) VanAllen of South Lebanon, OH; six grandchildren, Grayson, Garrett, and Danica Howard; Corinne, Everett, and Harrison VanAllen; brother Chuck (Marge) Gillette, sister-in-law Marilyn (Rick) Canupp, brother-in-law James “Chip” (Tammy) Eads; nephew Glen (Natalie) Berry as well as several nephews and nieces special to him.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 23rd from 5 to 7 pm at Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 East Dayton-Yellow Springs Road. Fairborn, and graveside funeral services to be held on Friday, July 24th at 11 am at Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 West Third Street, Dayton. Funeral procession will begin lining up at 10:15 am at Belton-Stroup Funeral Home to depart promptly at 10:40 am for the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fairborn City Schools memo: AF JROTC OH-031 (in memory of Bernard E. Berry Jr. TSgt. (Ret) USAF) 1523 Commerce Center Blvd. Fairborn, OH 45324.