Berry looks back as he plans his retirement

Having been with the James Polk Stone Community Bank since 2004, Kenneth Berry will soon be retiring and is looking forward to his future endeavours.

Berry, a Dexter native — having moved there from Carlsbad when he was 3 — graduated from Dexter High School and earned a degree in agribusiness from New Mexico State University in December 1973.

He has been married to his wife, Sharon, for 48 years.

Their family includes three adult children and seven grandchildren.

“Kevin and his wife, Sarah, live in Roswell and have three children (Elizabeth, Emma and Kaleb), and our daughter, D’Shan Berry, also lives in Roswell,” he said. “Our youngest daughter, Lauren Burns, her husband Adam and their four children (Bryson, Whitley, Aaron and Brian) live in Floyd.”

Berry has long been involved in the financial industry in this area. Before starting at JP Stone Community Bank in 2004, Berry worked for Farm Credit for nine years, mostly in Clovis, then moved to Roswell in March 1983.

“After moving I joined First National Bank of Roswell (now Wells Fargo Bank), and in 1996 when Wells Fargo acquired that bank, I moved to 1st National Bank of Artesia (now 1st American ) and opened their Roswell branch on 5th Street,” he said.

Berry described the move to JP Stone in 2004 as “intriguing” due to the family nature of the bank. “It was an excellent and rewarding decision,” he said, “and the bank has been very successful, expanding to three local branches in Roswell and Hagerman.”

Berry’s service to the community has included involvement with his church, local civic organizations, and groups dedicated to Roswell’s business success.

“In the past,” he says. “I have been active in the community and in our church. I just retired from Rotary after 40 years of membership in Clovis and Roswell, and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Group and the Roswell Chamber of Commerce . He served as a deacon, treasurer and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Roswell, and is also a past master of the Felix Masonic Lodge in Hagerman.

Like most people who love their jobs, Berry’s choice to retire was not easy.

“My decision to retire this month was difficult, but I look forward to having more time to support my grandchildren’s school activities.” Not to mention travel. “We also look forward to visiting my two brothers and our sister who are located in various states between Roswell and the East Coast.”

Projects are also on Berry’s to-do list as he moves forward. “I’ve had a job since I was 14 and I don’t intend to stop working. I plan to find something else to occupy myself. I have a list of home projects to complete, but I will also be looking for other opportunities to pursue.

But first, Berry takes a break to reflect on his career.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with so many committed people in this industry and to meet people’s financial needs. I’ve established long-term client relationships that are much more like family members – three or four generations of those family members, in some cases. …

“God has also blessed me with a wonderful family, and they have always supported me. He has always blessed us and met our needs in difficult times, and all of these grandchildren are special gifts for Dad and Nana. .

“I am so grateful for the opportunities to work and support the people and businesses of the Pecos Valley, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.”