Michael William Berry

Michael William Berry finished life much like he began it–persevering through some of life’s most difficult situations with tenacity and courage. He was born with Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a congenital heart defect. At the age of three, he had open heart surgery at the Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, which allowed him to thrive and live the interesting and creative life he went on to lead. At the age of 64, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which, as time progressed, took a devastating toll on his strength and cognition, but didn’t keep him from fulfilling his dreams.

Mike, loving husband, brother, son, uncle, stepparent and grandparent, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Coventry Senior Living in Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 77. His life ended due to ongoing struggles incident to Parkinson’s Disease. Mike was born June 15, 1949, in White Salmon, Washington, located near his hometown of Bingen set beside the Columbia River. He was born to Walter “Pete” Berry and Betty Jean (Clough) Berry. Mike grew up in Bingen at the base of Burdoin Mountain, where he would climb to explore and disappear into the mossy green surroundings of “The Big Rock.” It was his favorite place on the mountainside, and later as an adult, he was compelled to visit it each time he traveled home. He and his older sister, Kathleen, attended Bingen Elementary School through the 8th grade and then Columbia High School in White Salmon. Mike was very involved in high school activities including football, theater and choir. When Mike was a Junior, his baby sister Kimberly was born. He ensured a good start to her life by playing Bob Dylan albums for her. (She still loves listening to Bob Dylan.)

He graduated in 1967, kept up with lifelong school friends and attended many class reunions, including a 2021 football reunion with former teammates honoring their dedicated Coach Weitz. During his sophomore year at Columbia High, Mike met two new students, the LaPlatney brothers: Mike, a sophomore and Martin, a freshman. Soon the two Mikes became the very best of friends. Another very good friend from high school, Jim Loy, who once partnered in building a canoe with Mike, has remained close through the years.

Mike completed an English degree in 1971 from Washington State University (WSU). After graduating from WSU, he worked for SDS Lumber Company in Bingen. He often hiked in the surrounding mountains with friends and family. One day, while hiking Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge with his parents and sister, Kimberly, they witnessed the May 18,1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

For several years in the 1970s Mike lived in Massachusetts, worked in a felt factory and lived on a farm called Five Chimneys. In 1974 he moved back to Washington State. He built an addition to the family home in Bingen and later went to work as a printer at Berry Printing, the family business, eventually going into partnership with his parents. He was active in the town’s volunteer fire department and was an EMT and co-ambulance driver with Charlie George. Their service covered Bingen, White Salmon, and the surrounding areas where the two also taught evening CPR classes. Those years spent with Charlie formed a life-long bond between the two. Mike also got involved in starting a community theatre group with a number of his old friends from high school.

Mike always had a passion for writing and in 1976 self-published a book of poetry, entitled In the Mountains. He also was interested in screen writing and movie making. His short film “The Man Who Lost Foley” was screened at a Portland film festival. Mike decided to take a hiatus from working to further his screen writing. First, he stayed with his friends Mike and Rhonda LaPlatney in Marysville, Washington, writing a screenplay and helping with their young children. Then he moved to Salt Lake City to stay with Kathleen and her husband, Alan, to help with his very young nephew, Jascha and baby niece, Anya, while continuing to write and attend some classes. He was a devoted and fun uncle to Jascha and Anya, and they cherished him throughout his life.

Although his screen writing didn’t develop into the career he had been hoping for, his move to Salt Lake City did lead to an alternative artistic pursuit and career. He took a job as a picture framer at The Frame Shoppe on Highland Drive. There he met his kind friends Valerie and Janae Beausheur, and through them he met his inspirational friend Dave Marti. Mike took certification classes in conservation framing and then implemented those techniques, including utilizing proper glass and mat materials. This was the basis to his career as a custom picture framer and eventually owner of Michael Berry Gallery and Custom Framing. Valerie worked for many years in his frame shop as did Jascha and Ryan Bettilyon. Mike, Dave and another business savvy friend, Barbara Zakarian, developed a business support group amongst themselves to share encouragement and ideas. The three took a trip to Paris in 2004 for artistic inspiration. Mike became a true artisan of his craft, as framer and promoter of regional artists who are now well-known.

In 2016 Mike married his beloved wife, Karen, and also became a stepfather and grandfather. Karen’s daughter Stephanie and her two sons Caleb and Dylan became an important part of Mike’s life. Karen’s parents, brothers and sisters welcomed and adored Mike’s good nature. Karen shared his passion for the arts and worked beside him for two and half years, along with Lance Grohlands, until the retirement of his gallery and framing business in December 2018. As his Parkinson's symptoms progressed, Karen gave unwavering support and loving care until the end. Kathleen brought love and compassion to her brother, as she visited during his hardest of times.

Mike had many interests over his lifetime. As an artist, he focused on stylized pastels and paintings. He was a practitioner of the principles of Tao Te Ching (Laozi) and Yang short form of Tai Chi Chuan. He attended summer tai chi skills camps with instructor Ben Lo in California, and eventuated to being an active teacher of it for 30 years. He played the guitar and sang. He loved to dance the Argentine Tango. He cared dearly for his Avenues friends and the neighbors of 6th Ave and C Street. Many evening gatherings happened on that corner. The Spiral Jetty fascinated him, and he often took friends and family on Spiral Jetty expeditions. There were also visits to the Salt Flats on full moon nights to read poetry with Dave and friends. He volunteered time with Salt Lake Peer Court and mentored students in a restorative justice program for youth. His passion for writing was life-long. Inspired by observations during his daily exercise walks downtown, he applied his creative effort toward a book of poetry, Street Poems. Encouraged by Laura Bayer and Will Bagley, it was published by The Prairie Dog Press (2018). Mike kept on writing poetry for as long as he was physically able. Even after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2013, he continued to enjoy many of these interests. He faced his diagnosis with bravery and determined commitment to exercising at Skaggs Wellness Gym, boxing with University of Utah physical therapy students, dancing at Westminster University and 10th Street Senior Center, singing and voice rehab classes, and long walks with his wife. He did very well until February 2025, when he fell and broke his femur. All things became intensely difficult for him thereafter.

Mike was a kind and loving man who was able to create a sense of community among his diverse array of many friends. His playfulness and humor made even the most mundane activities fun and adventurous. He was funny and absurd and always excited about some unique idea he’d thought of, or looking at or thinking about something in a way no one else ever had. Mike is much loved and will be much missed.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Pete Berry. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Karen Montgomery Berry; stepdaughter, Stephanie Woodcock; grandsons, Dylan and Caleb Woodcock; mother, Betty Berry; sister, Kathleen Zeitlin (Alan Zeitlin); nephew, Jascha Zeitlin (Tammy Zeitlin); grandniece, Nell Zeitlin; grandnephew, Everett Zeitlin; niece, Anya Zeitlin; sister, Kimberly Berry (Jim Griggs).

As his family, we wish to thank the many people who offered Mike their care, including, yet not limited to Juan Carlos Claudio, Carly Schaub, Savannah Leary, Lennie Swenson, Brad Powell, Rebecca Ferguson, Jordan Lutz, Randy Aragon, Susan Wranik, Nysje Burton, Brittany Nelson. We also wish to thankfully acknowledge Cannon Mortuary for their services and insight.

A celebration of Mike’s life will take place Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 5:00pm. Please join us at the Visual Art Institute (VAI) 2900 South 300 West, South Salt Lake, UT 84115

Note: If you cannot physically attend, there is an opportunity to attend over Zoom. Please email berrygallery@gmail.com to express your desire to join in, so that you can receive the link.

On behalf of Mike, thank you Bruce Robertson and Kindra Fehr.