Kenneth John Berryman, 46
Ken Berryman, 46, of Bigfork passed away Friday, May 2, 2008.
He was a man loved and respected for his generosity of spirit, friendly and fun-loving nature, and abiding love of family and friends.
He will be greatly missed.
Kenneth John Berryman was born in Butte on Oct. 20, 1961, to Donald W. and Norma Jean Berryman. He grew up following his dad into the pressroom at The Montana Standard and into the mountains outside Butte, both of which became lifelong passions. He graduated from Butte High School in 1979.
Ken began his career as a press operator in 1980 with the Helena Independent Record. Over the years, he became one of the most skilled pressmen in the state of Montana, working for a decade in Helena, then from 1990 to 2003 at The Montana Standard, followed by a year and a half at the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, then the Missoulian as a press operator and later a supervisor in the pressroom, from 2004 until his death.
His fellow crew members had great admiration for Ken's abilities as a press operator and machinist, and the care with which he approached every print job. They will miss his practical jokes and abundant good humor. He had a smile and a kind word for everyone.
Ken married Vickie Lou Hoge in 1983, and they had two sons, Kenneth John Berryman Jr., in 1986, and Nicholas Wayne Berryman in 1988. They were divorced in 1988.
Ken's sons will remember their dad as an avid outdoorsman who spent countless hours with them on motocross bikes and backcountry adventures.
In 1999, he met Tammi McDaniel, and they shared their life and love for the past nine years. Together, they raised a daughter, Amber McDaniel, now an eighth-grader at Bigfork Elementary and of whom Ken was ever so proud.
As a family, they snowmobiled, four-wheeled, rode jet skis and played with their three Yorkies, Dobbie, Pebbles and Bam-Bam. Ken and Amber enjoyed hiking together. He always gave her soft tickles. He was the only dad she's ever known; she loved him with all her heart.
Ken was a great dad to Amber, Ken Jr. and Nick.
All who knew Ken liked him. He was very outgoing and caring; there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for someone in need. On his trips back and forth to Missoula for work, Ken carried two first-aid kits and water in case he came upon an accident. He was a member of Flathead County Search and Rescue.
Each of Ken's friends and family members has memories that bring a smile, and a tear, in recalling. He always could make up a new, funny version of a song on the radio — on the spot. He loved rebuilding Jeeps. And every rig he owned always had to be lifted, with big tires. If his rig didn't have big tires and a lift, Ken said, he felt as if he were wearing pants that were too short and dorky shoes.
Ken was an avid hunter as a younger person, then gradually turned toward photography, eventually forgoing the hunt to shoot photos of animals instead. He always enjoyed hiking and getting out in the wilderness of Montana.
He was honest and true to his word.
Ken is survived by his life partner, Tammi McDaniel, and daughter, Amber Lynn McDaniel, of Bigfork; sons, Ken Jr. and Nick of Helena; mother, Norma Jean Berryman, sister, Kathryn Jean Berryman, and nephew, Kyle David Berryman, of St. George, Utah; and brother, Don Norman Berryman, of Butte.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Don, a former publisher of The Montana Standard and group manager for Lee Enterprises.
At Ken's request, there will be no service.
A memorial fund has been established to help with Amber's college education. Contributions in Ken's name can be sent to the Amber L. McDaniel Educational Fund, Flathead Bank, P.O. Box 308, Bigfork, MT 59911.