It’s with a heavy heart that CAGC announces the passing of Berry Jenkins, who served as CAGC’s North Carolina Highway-Heavy/Government Relations Director for 22 years (July 1997 – June 2019). Berry, 79, died surrounded by loved ones on Friday, May 12, 2023, in Raleigh. He leaves behind his loving wife Glenda, daughter Beth, son-in-law Phillip, beloved grandson Noah, and many other family members, friends, and colleagues who will miss him dearly.
Berry was known for his kind personality, dry and witty sense of humor, passion for golf, and deep knowledge and commitment to the transportation construction industry. Berry’s many accomplishments included helping secure billions of dollars in infrastructure funding, as well as improving and maintaining the interactive relationships with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) on multiple levels. Because of Berry’s work initiatives, NC DOT is looked upon nationally as having one of the best markets and business climates for construction in the nation. Berry’s leadership earned him the 2015 Carolinas AGC Build with the Best Pinnacle Award, one of only two CAGC staff to have received that award.
CAGC Board Chair Mark Johnnie, a longtime friend of Berry’s, commented, “Since Berry’s passing my thoughts and prayers have been with Berry’s family during this difficult time. Losing Berry is difficult for all that knew him, including me, but as I thought about him over the past few days, I found myself smiling. People like Berry don’t come into our lives every day. I smiled because Berry did enter my life about 20 years ago and he had a profoundly positive impact on me both personally and professionally and because of that, I’m forever grateful for Berry. While he will be greatly missed, he will be equally remembered because of everything he accomplished during his career at NCDOT and at CAGC. As important, he will be remembered because of the way he embraced and treated others. Berry is a true Gentleman, Professional, Mentor, and Friend and he will be missed but never forgotten.”
CAGC President and CEO Dave Simpson, who worked side by side with Berry and considered him one of his closest friends, said, “Berry Jenkins was a treasure, a friend and a game changer to countless people, the construction industry, and our quality of life in the Carolinas. We will miss beyond words his wisdom, humor and love for his family, friends and the Wolfpack. Our thoughts, prayers and much love go out to Glenda, Beth, Phillip, and Noah in this sad time.”
A service to celebrate Berry will be held Saturday, May 20, 2:00pm at Brown-Wynne funeral home on Millbrook Road in Raleigh. To read the full obituary visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/berry-jenkins-11290164.