James Anderson Berg, Sr.

James Anderson Berg, Sr., Architect, Retired, Age 91 died Friday, August 15, 2014. Funeral services will be held in Mulberry Street United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 3:00 PM with Rev. Tommy Mason officiating. James Anderson Berg was born in Macon, the youngest of three sons of Leonard (Len) and Willie Lee Darby Berg. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, the former Anne Lowe, his parents and two brothers, Dr. Joseph L. Berg of Albany, GA and Bernard Berg and his wife Winifred, and his great-grandson James Anderson Berg IV, all of Macon. Mr. Berg was a life-long and active member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and served over the years in many different capacities on the administrative board of the church, including Lay Leader, Chair of Evangelism, Superintendent of Building and Grounds, member of the Building Committee, and Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He taught Sunday school for over 50 years and was co-founder of the Berg-Brenner Sunday School Class. Mr. Berg attended Alexander III School and was an honor graduate of Lanier High School where he was a captain in the ROTC. He entered Georgia Tech to study architecture and became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After two years of college, he was drafted into the U. S. Army with the rest of the Tech ROTC Unit. He took basic training at Ft. McClellan, AL. and received officer training at the infantry school at Ft. Benning, GA., where he earned the rank of second lieutenant in the army infantry. He served in World War II, both stateside and overseas in the Philippine Islands in the 3rd Army Infantry. He married his high school sweetheart, Anne Lowe, while stationed at Camp Maxey near Paris, TX in 1945. After military service he returned to Georgia Tech and received his Bachelor of Architecture degree. He practiced in Macon for over 60 years and was a principal with Hall, Ferguson, and Berg Architects, where his varied designs included churches, schools, hospitals, country clubs, residences, and municipal buildings in Macon and throughout Georgia. Prior to his retirement he was associated with Brittain, Thompson, Bray and Brown Architects. He was a former member of the Bibb County Exchange Club, the Kiwanis Club of Macon, and the Golden K Kiwanis Club. He was an Emeritus Member of American Institute of Architects and past President of the Macon Chapter, as well as being an officer of the state governing committee. He was a devoted family man and leaves a family of one daughter, five sons and their families. He said on the occasion of his 80th birthday that he considered rearing his children and family with his wife Anne as his greatest life's work. He is survived by daughter, Mary Anne Berg Richardson and husband, Thomas F. Richardson of Macon and Asheville, NC, sons, James A. Berg Jr. and wife Martha W. Berg of Macon, L. Lee Berg and wife Laura S. Berg of Atlanta, Edward L. Berg of Bonita Springs, FL, Robert D. Berg and partner Richard Burns of NY, NY, and William M. Berg and wife Allison S. Berg of Decatur, GA; grandchildren Anne Aldridge and husband Burns of Asheville, NC, Laurie Richardson and husband Ian Klaus of Washington, DC, Tom Richardson Jr. of Atlanta, James Berg III and wife Valli of Macon, Tommy Berg and wife Holli of Macon, Graham Berg and wife Morgan, Lee Berg, William Berg, Len Berg, and Kate Berg, all of Atlanta, and Margaret Berg Chalkley and husband Scott of Austin, TX; great-grandchildren Burns and Mary Thomas Aldridge of Asheville, NC, Molly and Causey Berg of Macon, Tommy and Ben Berg of Macon, Darby Berg of Atlanta and Hughes Chalkley of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law Evelyn Chandler Berg of Albany, GA; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In his latter years and at the encouragement of his daughter Mary Anne, he renewed his interest in painting and art, which he had studied in his student years at both Wesleyan Conservatory and the High Museum in Atlanta. He spent many pleasant hours painting "plein air" on numerous field trips and in workshops, especially with his friends and fellow artists, "Marianne Dunn and Friends." One of his favorite scripture readings, quoted and lived by his mother-in-law, Mary Mumford Lowe was Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." And one of his favorite sayings, one he came to appreciate even more as he grew older, was often quoted by his brother-in-law Alfred Lowe: When I was young and in my prime I could catch a June bug any ole time, But now I'm old and my hands are cold And I can't catch a June bug to save my soul. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Macon Outreach Ministries at 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Harts Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements. The family will receive visitors at the church prior to the funeral beginning at 2:00 PM. or at the graveside at Riverside Cemetery following the service.