David Berkey

Obituary of David Warren Berkey

David Warren Berkey was born on September 1, 1931 to parents Warren Pool Berkey & Kathryn Biavella Berkey in Detroit, Michigan.  At the age of 3, his family moved to Minneapolis, and at age 6, the family settled down in Rochelle, Illinois, where he attended Rochelle Township High School.  The summer after his junior year, David moved to Hopkins, Minnesota, where he earned his diploma in 1949.  He went on to study at Carleton College in Northfield, MN his freshman year, and later the University of Minnesota.  David volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from Nov. 1951-Oct. 1953.  He served in Heidelberg, Germany and in Paris, France as a 7774 Signal Battalion Cryptographer, with the rank of Corporal.  Following his service, he returned to the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1955.  Following his graduation, he married Shirley Erikson and enrolled in the American Institute for Foreign Trade (Thunderbird) in Glendale , AZ, graduating in 1957.  Following his graduation, he was hired by Goodyear International and after a training program in Akron, Ohio, was sent to San Francisco as a manager.  He was in rubber sales for seven years.  He then went in to Real Estate in Walnut Creek and later Santa Cruz, a career that spanned over 25 years when he retired in 1989.  Following his retirement, David attended the Multnomah University Bible College, graduating with a graduate certificate in the Bible in 1990.

Mr. Berkey was also the past president of the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club, past president of Presbyterians United for Mission Advance (PUMA).  He was a 10 year winner of the Human Race for Habitat for Humanity.  He helped build the first three homes west of the Mississippi in Soquel, CA. in 1988.  He also helped build churches in Honduras for the Presbyterian Church and homes for Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala. 

David sang in the choir at Felton Presbyterian, he was the former Deacon and Elder in St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Aptos, and First Presbyterian of Santa Cruz; and the Chairman of Mission Committees of Aptos, Santa Cruz, and Felton.  He was also involved in the Jail Ministry, teaching the Bible at S.C. County Jail.  In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, playing chess and bridge. 

Mr. Berkey is survived by his children, Jonathan, Lisa (Rick) & Peter; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara & Andrew Boss of Edmond, Oklahoma.    He was predeceased by his son, Paul. 

Services honoring Mr. Berkey will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018.  David will be laid to eternal rest at Oakwood Memorial Park (3301 Paul Sweet Road) at 9:30am.  Immediately following his burial, a celebration of life will be held at Felton Presbyterian Church (6090 Highway 9), beginning at 11:00am. 

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Saturday
25
August

Interment

9:00 am
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Oakwood Memorial Park
3301 Paul Sweet Rd.
Santa Cruz, California, United States
Saturday
25
August

Celebration of Life

11:00 am
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Felton Presbyterian Church
6090 Highway 9
Felton, California, United States