John Malcolm Berry

John Malcom Berry, passed away peacefully at Otsego Memorial Hospital Wednesday September 17, 2025, after a brief hospital stay.

Born in Grayling, Michigan, Mr. Berry was a lifetime resident of Otsego County in Gaylord and also Vanderbilt. He graduated in 1959 from Gaylord High School. An exceptional athlete, Mr. Berry held the 100 yard dash record in high school for nearly 30 years. He was also a very gifted football and basketball player only to have his high school playing years marred by 2 separate shoulder injuries requiring surgeries. In golf, he was the youngest club champion at the Gaylord Country Club (which now is where Jay's Sporting Goods sits) and won numerous tournaments and trophy's up until he was 34 years old. When his father and lifetime golfing partner Dr. William Berry passed away in 1974, John hardly played much golf ever again.

Mr. Berry was also a PSIA certified alpine ski instructor for nearly 25 years at Otsego Ski Club. Some of his clients included Gary Stroh (Stroh's Beer) Dan Holley (Holley Carburetor) Edsel Ford (Ford Motor Company) Lou Cooper (Gallo Wine) and many others. He also worked many years for Krumrei Beverage in Grayling as a top Budweiser sales representative.

An avid hunter and skilled fisherman, Mr. Berry, never outdone, when it came to trout fishing was as talented as any professional guide when it came to rainbow, steelhead, brown and brook trout fishing in the many beautiful northern Michigan rivers. He was also an amazing fly fisherman with a near perfect placement almost every time. Like his golf game, his fundamentals were as good as there was. He also was a very versed boat operator, both as a sailor and fishing vessels, spending many years salmon fishing the open waters of Little Traverse Bay, East and West Bay of Elk Rapids and Traverse City, Harrisville and Oscoda on Lake Huron as well as his prized summer retreat, Frankfort, Michigan.

Very accomplished duck hunter and deer hunter. Owned the Bonehead deer camp for some 45 years.

Mr. Berry also was a volunteer for Punt, Pass and Kick, Gaylord Little League and people of any age trying to learn the game of golf at the Country Club.

One his favorite summer pastimes was taking many friends and family members water skiing at The Red Ox.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Betsy) of Alba of 61 years; his son, Jon of Tarpon Springs, FL; his grandaughters, Alexandra of Petoskey, Rachel Anna of Carmel, IN and his great grandsons, Malcom James and Hayes Henry both of Petoskey. Along with special friends, Cathy and Douglas Heinz of Vanderbilt.

He was preceded in death by his father Dr. William H. Berry and Lucille M. Berry (Campbell).

A graveside service will take place 1:30 PM Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Evergreen Cemetery in Vanderbilt.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.