Sad News

I am sorry to report having just learned that we recently lost two of our original Project folk, Brent and Solveig Berry.

Brent Berry, #4
November 2, 1948 - March 8, 2012

Brent Berry, 63, died March 8, 2012 at Circle of Life in Springdale. He was born on November 2, 1948 in Ft. Smith to the late Blake Berry, and Billie (Bollinger) Berry of Ft. Smith. He was the loving husband of Solveig (Lundberg) Berry for 42 years.

Brent was a 24 year veteran of Wal-Mart Stores. He served in a series of positions including Merchandise Buyer of several categories, Vice President Divisional Merchandise Manager, and retired as Vice President Managing Director International Merchandise responsible for import and export programs for Wal-Mart and Sam's.

Brent developed private label programs for Wal-Mart including Equate and Popular Mechanics. He played an integral role in Wal-Mart's expansion into Canada where he set up the infrastructure for a self-sufficient Canadian merchandising department.

Brent graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1970, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was an avid Razorback fan and followed all U of A sports. He enjoyed reading history, fantasy and science fiction. He loved to travel and visited four continents and a wide variety of countries including India, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Brent and Solveig recently traveled to Hawaii and China and took a European cruise.

Brent is survived by his mother, Billie; wife, Solveig of Rogers; son, Erik Berry of Rogers; daughter, Brynn Sims of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Blake; and brother, Boyd Blake Berry.

Solveig Berry
May 15, 1947 - April 9, 2013

Solveig Margareta (Lundberg) Berry was born May 15, 1947 in Luleå, Sweden to the late Erik and Ella (Lundström) Lundberg. She was the loving wife of the late Brent Berry for 42 years.
Solveig attended high school at Hermelinsskolan in Sweden. In 1965, she came to the U.S. as an AFS exchange student in Poteau, OK. She spent one year with the family of Ross J. Holt. When back in Sweden, she studied at the College of Education in Lulea to become a certified teacher, specializing in grades 4-6. After college in Sweden, Solveig attended the University of Arkansas with her host sister, Nana (Holt) Johnson in 1969. Solveig and Brent met at the U of A and later married on March 22, 1970. She and Brent moved to Rogers in 1972, where she began teaching 5th grade at Lowell Elementary. Later she served as the facilitator of the Gifted and Talented program at Oakdale.
During her life in Rogers, Solveig was highly involved in community activities. She was a member of PEO and Junior Auxillary. She completed her Masters Degree at the University of Arkansas. She also enjoyed tennis, genealogy and gardening.
Solveig is survived by her daughter, Brynn Sims of Fayetteville; son, Erik Berry of Rogers; brother, Dr. Lars Lundberg of Sweden; mother-in-law, Billie Berry; three grandchildren, Henry Sims and Karl and Kaden Berry; and three nieces and two nephews.