Photos of Brandon with friends and enjoying life

A Memorial to Brandon K. Berry

Photos of Brandon with friends and enjoying life

Teardrops

author Lauri Flanegan

I think there's competition,

with the stars in the skies.

With the many teardrops,

that have fallen from our eyes.

If you count the grains of sand,

I think we have them beat.

Or turn the ocean into drops,

then they might compete.

You'd think we would have canyons,

running down our face.

Like water making rivers,

from flowing in one place.

God knew what he was doing,

when He gave us endless tears.

The loss of a child keeps you

crying through the years.

Brandon at Michigan Adventure

Vacations

Vacations with Brandon's mom's family rarely happened out of Michigan or Ohio. We did fly to Panama City Beach, Flordia to visit friends, when Brandon was 2 yrs. old. We went to Severeville, Tenn., to visit Brandon's grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Berry. We often went to Cedar Point or Michigan Adventure. He took his cousin Josie and Jonah on vacation as companions. When he got older, he took his friend Tim once and Collin once, to Grand Haven both times.

---------------------------------------------------

In the last couple of years Brandon had gotten re-aquanted with a chilhood friend, Zac. His other friends were Allen, Steve, Chad, Josh, Santino, Blake, Deano, Derek and Tank. There were many more, but to my knowledge, this list was his main friends, along with the names mentioned before. He had many girls he hung out with and maybe even dated at one time or another, such as Annie (Pink), Lisa C., Ashley C., Markie, Ashley V. (his first girlfriend, when he was 11) and Becka.

There is a very special friend of Brandons that has been deeply affected by his death, but has turned it into a positive. The young man that I am speaking of is Allen Aldrich. He has made a commetment to Brandon and himself, to change his ways and stay in school. He vows to make something of himself, in Brandon's name.

I haven't heard from Allen much, but I do know that his life hasn't gone too smooth lately. He hasn't let that keep him from his goal and he is still in school.

This young man has really given Brandon's life (and death) meaning. It is wonderful to know that Brandon had such an affect on him. He has had a hard life, but has found a way to rise above it all and do what he needs to do, to have a better life. It will give me something to look forword to, just to see what he does with his life.

The three photos above. Brandon loved to sleep and loved to shop at Great Lakes Crosssing.

Brandon's favorite place to shop was at Great Lakes Crossing Mall. Mr. Rags and F.Y.E. were the stores he spent the most money in. We always had to hit the Rainforrest Cafe, while we were there. Brandon didn't care for the food, but he loved the surroundings. If we couldn't make it that far, he enjoyed a store called "Out the Door" in Toledo.

Other resturants he liked were The Fleetwood Diner and the Mongolian Barbeque in Ann Arbor. He lloved going to the Red Wings games and eating at a Greek Resturant in Greektown called Pegasist. I think.

Josh (Tank) and Brandon at Shannon's graduation

Josh Wegner (Tank) named student of the week in The Daily Telegram

"Josh Wegner is a senior at Clinton High School. Principal James DuVall says Josh has advanced from being a student who struggeled to an outstanding, honor roll-caliber student. His hard work and the ability to look within himself helped Josh realize that change was necessary. He went from being an non-involved student to being a football player and excellent student. He has plans to enroll at The University of Illinois. Josh is the son of Dawn Weimer."

Good jod Josh. I don't know if Brandon's death had anything to do with this wonderful change in you, but I'm proud that Brandon had a friend like you.

If anyone has photos of Brandon, please contact me. Any photos would be treasured by myself and the rest of Brandon's family. I would need to borrow them just long enough to make copies.

Steve and Brandon goofing around

Skateboarding at Collin's house

Prior to Brandon being sent away to military school, Brandon was a very accomplished skateboarder. He and Collin would practice for hours. He also went to skate parks around Michigan, to Grand Haven, The Jeffery Arean in Ann Arbor or Brighton. He would take Collin, Tim or his cousin Josie. Tecumseh finally got their own skatepark, where Brandon spent time skateboarding with his new friends Derek and Tate. Collin and Tim were still active in skateboarding and joined him too.

Collin and Brandon at The Star Drive-in

Until 2-3 years ago, there use to be a drive-in near-by. We made frequent trips to the drive-in in Ohio. They closed down, to make room for a grocery store that they still haven't built.