James R Berry
PH2 U.S. Navy
1951-1955
Jim led an active life with only two professions during his working years. The first was with the National Institute of Highway Safety in Washington D.C. in the early 1960’s. Jim moved the family to Iowa City in 1968 when he joined the highway safety research team at The University of Iowa. Jim became a licensed realtor and worked for Smith, Hilgenberg and Maloney in downtown Iowa City. He later opened his own office called Jim Berry Real Estate. Jim made many lifelong friends in real estate and he retired from Coldwell Banker in 1997.
Jim’s professional accolades were impressive. He helped Art Cox and Larry Stewart, his lifetime best friend, start the Real Estate Studies program at The University of Northern Iowa. He was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to the Iowa Real Estate Commission in 1984 where he ended his tenure as Head Commissioner in 1991. Jim was very active in the Iowa City Noon Optimist Club, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and the Iowa City Athletic Booster Club where he served as president in 1977. Jim served as president of the Iowa City Area Association of Realtors and was chosen as Realtor of the Year twice. He coached Iowa City Babe Ruth baseball, chaperoned music trips at Iowa City High School, sang in the St. Mary’s Church Choir, was Director of The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission. Jim and Mary visited all the Presidential museums and they were avid Iowa Hawkeye fans attending many bowl games, basketball games, and Iowa Hawkeye football games. Jim loved Iowa wrestling and he was the official score keeper on the bench for the Hawkeyes for 25 years. He was an avid golfer and spent many days out on the golf course with his buddies, including the Wednesday Wackers.
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