O lord, thank you for the gift of life that Edwin Berryhill was to our family, and to all who knew him. Through his kindness and his love, he brought happiness to all who knew him. As he lies in eternal peace in your arms, help us to mourn his death and celebrate his life, now and forever. 
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

I want to share a little of Ed’s life that we gathered to celebrate February 26, 2024.
Dad grew up in Charlotte NC. He loved his family. His father Allen, mother Mary and brothers Bobby, James, Ronnie and sisters Maryland and Janette. He has shared pictures and old home movies, to show me the many of the good times from his childhood. As he grew older, he became an outstanding athlete, great at all sports with a tremendous talent for golf and basketball. His dad often had him play as his partner in golf matches against other men because Ed was so good, he could beat the older men. As a high school basketball player, Ed was All-State with his name all over the sports pages. He earned a basketball scholarship to Furman University.
He was a great player at Furman, back then freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports, but as a starter on the JV he often scored over 30 points a game! No doubt, he would have had a great college career, but after a year of college he left Furman, he decided to get married and enlist in the Air Force. 
While serving for 8 years in the military dad became a leader earning several awards as a Staff Sargent and Airplane Mechanic Crew Chief. He spent time in Korea and played on the Air Force Basketball team and golf team. His ability to manage aircraft maintenance, his discipline, and capacity to follow procedures served him well when he left the air force. This foundation for work no doubt served him well in the private work force and is why he had such a long career with Fort Worth Tent and Awning. Ed loved his work and the people he worked with. 
Dad earned his private pilots license while in the AirForce and although I barely remember, he told me he took me and my mom on plane trips. 
Ed loved airplanes – he worked on them, he flew them, adn he built one. 
-	He built radio-controlled aircraft – had lots of fun flying and hanging out with friends at the Hobby Shop.
-	He built an air-bike (aka ultra-light) and enjoyed flying with other friends in a club he was in.
-	And in his senior years, he got into computer flight simulators, where the internet allowed him to fly with friends from other states.
When I think about dad’s life, him being a veteran and the things he loved, it’s so fitting that he’s able to be laid to rest here with his brothers and sisters who also served our country, and this location with views overlooking the Grand Prairie golf course and airport… It’s nice that he is here so close to two of the things he loved... Golf and Airplanes
I’ll close with a prayer that I believe my dad would love. Thanks you for taking time to ready these words in celebration of Ed’s life.
A Prayer for Pilots
Dear Lord, Thank you that I have the privilege of flying airplanes.
Thank you that I can take to the skies, see the earth become small and fall away beneath me.
Oh Lord, help me to fly with skill and diligence, to follow procedures and to keep those I carry safe, 
Alert me to difficulties and dangers, so that I have time to respond and pray.

And as I take to the skies, come lift my heart too. May I always give thanks for the goodness in my life. 
As the earth blurs away beneath me, come give me your heart for it.
Please inspire my mind to see everything through your eyes. 
And may my prayers be free, dynamic, and effective from this perspective.
Lord, lead me closer to you each time I pilot this plane. 
Amen

Dad, I love you. Your son, Rick


EDWIN LEE BERRYHILL

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