Rosadel Trosclair Fakier
February 18, 2008Music
February 20, 2008
Posted Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
Dr. Mel Berry, 74, a native of New Orleans, La., and a resident of Thibodaux, La., died Saturday, Feb. 16.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Jayne Berry; two sons, David M. Berry of Sorrento, Fl., and Brian H. Berry of Thibodaux; one daughter, Melinda B. Weatherford and husband, Phil, of Cummings, Ga.; two grandchildren, Lauren and Sean Weatherford; eight nieces, 13 nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Aline Guidry Berry; one brother, Carlyle Berry and sister-in-law, Nonie; one niece, Gail James Cate; one nephew, Robert “Sonny” James Jr.; his sister-in-law, Weston McIntyre; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Olga B. and Hart Malarcher and Ona B. and Bob James.
“Doc”, as he was known by his students, taught speech and theatre courses and directed most of the plays at Nicholls State University from 1963 until his retirement in 1999. He served as head of the Department of Speech and Theatre from 1976 to 1989. He was also involved in community theatre, both as a director and as an actor and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Thibodaux Playhouse for a number of years. He was interested in film as well as theatre and participated in several of the movies filmed in the area. In the past, he had been a member of the Louisiana Arts Council, the Louisiana College Theater Festival Committee and the Alliance for Arts in Education. He was a prominent figure in the furthering of the arts in Thibodaux and surrounding communities. His love of teaching and his love of and pride in his students was second only to his love of and pride in his family.
Memorial donations can be made to Mel Berry Theatre Scholarship Fund at Nicholls State University through the department of Mass Communications at Nicholls State University.
Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Landry’s Funeral Home and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at First United Methodist Church in Thibodaux with a religious service to follow.
Landry’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
