Kim Jonathan Berry

Kim Jonathan Berry, age 70, formerly of Largo, Florida, died Thursday, May 9, 2024, with his loving family in Waltham, Minnesota, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Kim was born February 11, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan to John “Jack” and Marion (Beaucond) Berry. Kim attended Catholic school through his elementary years, with many stories of being taught by nuns. Kim had a love of animals from a very young age, always boasting about each one that found themselves lucky enough to find their home with him. He attended Stevenson High School in Livonia, Michigan, graduating in 1972.  

After high school in the spring of 1973, Kim joined the United States Army.  Kim was deployed to Germany spending 18 months as a medic. After returning home in 1974, Kim traveled to Albert Lea, Minnesota to visit a childhood friend. It is there he met Patricia (Flugum) Berry.  They married on November 17, 1975, in Detroit, Michigan.  The couple welcomed their first child, Mandy, in Detroit, Michigan. Shortly after the birth of their first child, the couple moved back to Minnesota to settle down.  Kim and Patricia welcomed two more children, a son, Jon and daughter, Megan.  

In 1981, Kim attended Albert Lea Technical College, earning his associate degree. Kim started work for Streaters in Albert Lea, Minnesota in winter of 1982. He worked in shipping and receiving, gaining many skills, and meeting lifelong friends along the way.  Kim left Streaters in 1993.

In May of 1995, Kim moved from Minnesota to Fort Myers, Florida, Kim called Florida home for 28 years living in various cities on the Gulf of Mexico. He held many jobs while in Florida, finally seeking an early retirement in 2004 due to health complications.  

Kim was a devoted member of AA enjoying many years of sobriety, he found his second family in the members at AA.  Kim was a Christian and active member at church in Largo, Florida.  He had many hobbies, including riding and owning Harley Davidsons, in later years he enjoyed the solitude of boating around on the bay in a little fishing boat.   

Kim had the most unique sense of humor, each of his kids held nicknames given to them by their Dad. Not any nickname though, each name was derived from his many years of being a people person and meeting many people. His nicknames were more like a story that described you from his stories in his life.  

Kim was incredibly kind and would help anyone that needed it, even if he had hardly anything to help with. He was known for being the best tipper, no matter the service, Kim would be taking care to make sure all servers were paid for his gratitude.  

Kim loved his children and many grandchildren. He was very close to his father and did everything he could to show his children how much he cared. Kim never missed a birthday or chance to cheer them on, almost to a fault.  

Kim will be greatly missed by many friends and family.   

Survivors include his former wife, Patricia Berry of Emmons, MN; daughter, Mandy (Geoff) Allen of Pacifica, California; son, Jon (Jessica) Berry of Glenville, MN; daughter, Megan (Tadd) Decker of Waltham, MN; grandchildren, Emma, Claire, Fletcher, Sterling, and Cora; his cat, Cory; and many many friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marion Berry.