Knoxville, TN - David Kyle Berry, 79, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. He was born in 1946 in Rupert, West Virginia.

David met the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Lilly, while in high school, and they remained together through his military service, overseas deployment, and undergraduate studies at West Virginia University, where he earned his degree in Civil Engineering. Prior to college David answered the call to serve in the United States Army Special Forces as a paratrooper and Green Beret. On July 17, 1971, David and Rebecca (Becky) were united in marriage and later settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they established their home, raised their family, and built their professional lives.

David held nothing closer to his heart than his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Pearl Elizabeth Carr and Garnet Harrison Berry and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ann Ruth Lilly and Avis Harold Lilly. David is survived by his devoted wife, Rebecca Ann Berry; daughter and son-in-law, Anna Beth and Brian Meccia; son and daughter-in-law, John Kyle and Jodi Berry; cherished grandson, Davis Kyle Berry, who held a uniquely special place in his heart; beloved aunt, Carolyn Ann Bryant; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Fred Marashi; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Brenda Berry; numerous nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

To know David was to experience his extraordinary generosity, his friendly spirit, and a sense of humor you never forgot. He never missed an opportunity to greet and thank fellow veterans wherever he went. David will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

Family and friends are invited for a brief chapel service to celebrate David's life with military honors at East Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery, 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier Hwy, in Knoxville, on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Following the service a gathering will be held at the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park Pavilion, 2302 E. Gov. John Sevier Hwy, in Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor David's memory may make a contribution to the Green Beret Foundation, P.O. Box 25138, New York, NY 10087, (www.greenberetfoundation.org/donate/). Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.