Claude A "Skip" Berry, III

Claude A. "Skip" Berry III, 76, of Eminence, Kentucky, passed away on July 17, 2026.

Born on March 20, 1950, Skip lived a life marked by faith, integrity, servant leadership, and extraordinary professional achievement. While he earned widespread respect throughout Kentucky's engineering and construction industries, nothing brought him greater joy than his relationship with Jesus Christ, his family, and his many lifelong friends.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Allen Berry, Jr. and Mary Ann Rose Berry, and by his brother, Drane Lee Berry.

He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 54 years, Joyce Martin Berry; his children, Buddy (Jessica) Berry, Tiffany (Mark) Payton, and Tara (Jeff) McMahan; his brothers, Dale (Julie) Berry and Edward (Tish) Berry; his nine beloved grandchildren, Brooke, Blaze, Bryce, and Brax Berry; Trevor (Macy) and Taylor Payton; Landon, Brody, and Knox McMahan; and one great-grandchild, Elias Payton.

A 1968 graduate of Eminence High School, Skip earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1973. He was a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor, Certified Construction Manager, and a past member of the Board of Governors of the Construction Management Association of America.

Following graduation, Skip began his career with Wehr Constructors in 1973, where he devoted the next 50 years of service. Rising to become President, he retired in 2018 after helping build Wehr into one of the nation's premier construction management firms. Throughout his career, he personally oversaw more than $1 billion in construction management projects, leading the company to recognition among the nation's Top 100 Engineering News-Record Construction Management Firms and Top 400 Construction Firms.

His leadership and service were recognized through numerous honors, including the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Construction Management Founders Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and being named a Henry Stites Barker Fellow in 2015. In 2019, he was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Hall of Distinction. He also faithfully served on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, where he chaired the Audit and Compliance Committee and served on the Athletics and Executive Committees. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky.

Though his professional accomplishments were remarkable, Skip measured success not by awards or titles, but by the lives he impacted. His steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, his love for Joyce and his family, and his generous spirit defined his life. His wisdom, humility, quiet strength, and servant's heart will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through his family, his community, and the countless people whose lives he influenced.

His family will forever cherish the countless memories, lessons, and love he shared, and they find comfort knowing his legacy will continue through the generations that follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Skip's honor to either of the following organizations:

The Eminence Education Foundation to establish an Eminence High School Scholarship in his memory.

Eminence Education Foundation 291 West Broadway Eminence, KY 40019 OR

Henry County Hope Center 684 Elm Street Eminence, KY 40019

Funeral Services : 1 PM Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Henry Christian Church (136 Castle Hwy, Eminence, KY 40019). Officiated by Bro. Ed Berry & Buddy Berry and comments by Dale Berry Sr. & Trevor Payton.

Visitation : 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Henry Christian Church and after 10 AM Wednesday, July 22, 2026 until service time.

There’ll be a celebration at Joyce’s following the graveside services. Everyone is welcome.