Obituary for Berry Mashburn
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Berry was born in Seminole, OK to Berry William and Dorothy Patterson Mashburn on Nov 13, 1934. His father was killed in an oil field explosion when he was 13. Berry was one of two children. As a young boy he enjoyed all kinds of athletics. As a teenager, Berry started playing football and participating in track and field. He played for the Capitol Hill Redskins in high school and excelled in pole vaulting and football. He graduated in 1952 from Capitol Hill High School.
Berry’s athletic career began at Capitol Hill Junior High in 1948 when he played forward for the basketball team. While Berry eventually gave up hoops, he lettered in football and track at Capitol Hill High School. As a senior in 1952, he won the mid state championship in pole vaulting. For the football team, he played defensive back and offensive end. They won the mid state conference his senior year.
In 1952, OU offered him a combination scholarship for football and track. In 1954 he joined the Army and proudly served his country for two years. While in the Army, he thrived in sports, winning the far east championship in both pole vaulting and football. In 1955 he led his team to an undefeated season and was later chosen for the Air Force All Star Team. As quarterback, he led his team to a victory in the Rice Bowl.
After an honorable discharge, Berry went on to continue his education and play football at Central State University, receiving his Bachelors degree in Physical Education and Business.
In 1962, at the age of 27, he had offers from the Baltimore Colts, the Denver Broncos and the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL. He finished his football career with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1963.
While at Central State University, he met the love of his life, Linda Anderson. The two were inseparable and were married on June 23, 1963 in Oklahoma City.
After he married, he moved back to South Oklahoma City and became the owner of Mashburn Real Estate Company. He went into the home building business with his brother, J.W., in 1971. He retired from home building at the age of 62.
He enjoyed fishing trips, golf, yard work, staying physically fit and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Berry’s most cherished time was spent with his family and friends. He and Linda enjoyed traveling the world and spending the winter months at their favorite spot in Cancun, Mexico for the past 14 years.
Berry was preceded in death by his Parents and Granddaughter, Sarah Mashburn.
He is survived by his Wife, Linda, of 57 years; Daughter, Kelley Mastell and husband Scott; Son, Shane Mashburn and wife Angie; Grandchildren, Gavin Mastell and Macey Mashburn; Brother, J.W. Mashburn and wife Connie as well as many extended family and loving friends.
Berry was born in Seminole, OK to Berry William and Dorothy Patterson Mashburn on Nov 13, 1934. His father was killed in an oil field explosion when he was 13. Berry was one of two children. As a young boy he enjoyed all kinds of athletics. As a teenager, Berry started playing football and participating in track and field. He played for the Capitol Hill Redskins in high school and excelled in pole vaulting and football. He graduated in 1952 from Capitol Hill High School.
Berry’s athletic career began at Capitol Hill Junior High in 1948 when he played forward for the basketball team. While Berry eventually gave up hoops, he lettered in football and track at Capitol Hill High School. As a senior in 1952, he won the mid state championship in pole vaulting. For the football team, he played defensive back and offensive end. They won the mid state conference his senior year.
In 1952, OU offered him a combination scholarship for football and track. In 1954 he joined the Army and proudly served his country for two years. While in the Army, he thrived in sports, winning the far east championship in both pole vaulting and football. In 1955 he led his team to an undefeated season and was later chosen for the Air Force All Star Team. As quarterback, he led his team to a victory in the Rice Bowl.
After an honorable discharge, Berry went on to continue his education and play football at Central State University, receiving his Bachelors degree in Physical Education and Business.
In 1962, at the age of 27, he had offers from the Baltimore Colts, the Denver Broncos and the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL. He finished his football career with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1963.
While at Central State University, he met the love of his life, Linda Anderson. The two were inseparable and were married on June 23, 1963 in Oklahoma City.
After he married, he moved back to South Oklahoma City and became the owner of Mashburn Real Estate Company. He went into the home building business with his brother, J.W., in 1971. He retired from home building at the age of 62.
He enjoyed fishing trips, golf, yard work, staying physically fit and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Berry’s most cherished time was spent with his family and friends. He and Linda enjoyed traveling the world and spending the winter months at their favorite spot in Cancun, Mexico for the past 14 years.
Berry was preceded in death by his Parents and Granddaughter, Sarah Mashburn.
He is survived by his Wife, Linda, of 57 years; Daughter, Kelley Mastell and husband Scott; Son, Shane Mashburn and wife Angie; Grandchildren, Gavin Mastell and Macey Mashburn; Brother, J.W. Mashburn and wife Connie as well as many extended family and loving friends.