Jerry Dean Berlin, an 85-year-old resident of Sweetwater, TX and former Trenton resident, died on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, TX.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday Nov. 4, 2019 at the Garden of Memories with military honors performed by the U.S. Air Force. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Dr. John Knox and Rev. Marie Mickey officiating. Pallbearers will be Dane Bennett, Dylan Bennett, David Davidson, Alan Carmichael, David Bennett, Cory Snuggs, Dan Edwards, Kevin McLendon and Randall Smith.
A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 at the McCoy Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
Jerry was born on Aug. 28, 1934 in Trenton, the son of Ben and Clara Gabrielson Berlin. He was married on Aug. 17, 1958 in Trenton to Ellen Fairchild, who preceded him in death in 2010. He was married in 2011 to Dixie Smith, who preceded him in death in 2018.
Jerry received a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1960 and a masters degree in bacteriology in 1961 from the University of Missouri. He received his Ph.D. in biology at Iowa State University in 1964. His professional career started as a research scientist at Batelle Northwest Research Center in Richland, WA, where he researched the effects of radiation on cells. From 1968-1987, he was a professor at Texas Tech University, where he taught cell biology and electron microscopy and supervised many graduate and post-doctoral students. He served as chairman of the biology department from 1985-1988. He then accepted a position as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Southwest Missouri State University.
Dr. Berlin was very active in many professional and civic organizations and held a variety of offices. After his retirement, Dr. Berlin and his wife, Ellen moved to Sweetwater to be closer to family. He loved spending time with family and friends. He had a variety of hobbies including golf, gardening, playing bridge, fly fishing, kite flying and sailing.
Jerry is survived by his daughters, Brenda Davidson and her husband, David of Verden, OK, Paula Carmichael and her husband, Alan of Sweetwater and Dana McElroy of Sweetwater; grandchildren, Sammie McLendon and her husband, Kevin, Randie Edwards and her husband, Dan, Rikkie Snuggs and her husband, Cory, Dane Bennett and his wife, Ariel and Dylan Bennett; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Berlin of Springfield; Dixie’s children, Stephen Smith and his wife, Angela of Wiggins, CO, Randall Smith and his wife, Coilla of Roscoe and Susan Smith of Roscoe; and numerous nieces, nephews and many other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wives.
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