Former Arkansas Razorback
thrilled with life as a Christian
Lee Roy “Ben” Berry Jr. was born in Stuttgart, Ark., in 1935. A twin, he and his brother, Charles Troy, were their parents’ only children.
Ben’s parents had moved to Stuttgart to work in the rice industry. His mother was an accomplished violinist who had played in silent movies. She was the chorus director in Stuttgart, but Ben and Charlie spent their extracurricular hours on the football field. When they graduated from high school in 1953, both went to the University of Arkansas on football scholarships under Coaches Bowden Wyatt (1953-54) and Jack Mitchell (1955-56).Ben is still an avid football fan.
Following his graduation from the U of A in 1957, Ben began working for International Paper Company, a job he did for more than 40 years. The family moved a lot as Ben worked his way up in sales and management, but they settled in Searcy in 1970 so their children could attend Harding Academy.
Ben became a Christian when he was 15 years old while attending Camp Tahkodah, which at that time was “Dr. Benson’s camp for boys,” he said. His mother sent the twins there “because we were mischievous and she needed a break,” he added. Over the next several years, Ben was sporadic in attendance at “whatever church happened to be close.”
Ben met Patricia Wilson in 1959 on a blind date arranged by his cousin at Memphis State. Three months later, they were married and soon began their family.
Spurred by a preacher in Memphis and the responsibility of children, Ben became actively involved in the church at age 25. He and Bill White taught the 11th and/or 12th grade Bible class at College church for 25 years.
Ben retired from his job at International Paper in 1998 but worked with World Travel, a family business begun by Patricia and her mother in 1978, until they sold it in 2004. He became an elder in 2000 and has spent many hours visiting his care group and working with the seniors ministry. He also helps arrange Harding Alumni trips.
In an article in the Searcy Daily Citizen in Sept. 2002, Ben attributed his excitement for life to his faith and attitude toward service. “[Serving] helps you get YOU off your mind so you can help others,” he said.
Ben and Patricia’s children are Lee Ann Clay and her husband, Randy, in Jonesboro; Scott, in Searcy; and Trish Price and her husband, Randy, also in Searcy. They have two grandchildren who attend Harding Academy.