John "Berk" Berchmans Ehret

John “Berk” Berchmans Ehret passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at the age of 82. Berk, the youngest of six siblings, was born March 4, 1940 to Julius James and Blanche Neeb Ehret in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Berk grew up in Gretna, Louisiana. He graduated from De La Salle High School in New Orleans and attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) where he met his future bride Mikie and in 1963 earned his BSEd in Industrial Arts. That same year, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for 6 years. His active duty was at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. During his time in the Army, Berk was a teacher in the radar school and involved in the early development of drone technology. He continued electrical engineering studies at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans and taught many classes at Delgado Community College. He also enjoyed teaching ESL to native Spanish speakers working toward their U.S. citizenship. Berk spent most of his career with Technical Associates of New Orleans (TANO) until becoming a partner in Microtel, Inc. where he worked until his retirement.
Upon retiring, Berk and Mikie relocated to Sealy, Texas to be near family and quickly became part of the community. Berk cherished the friends he made during the countless hours he devoted to volunteering, relishing the camaraderie and fellowship. He was an active parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, was serving as Faithful Pilot of The Sealy Assembly #2103 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, an officer in the Sealy American Legion Post 442, a member of the Knights of Columbus Sealy Council #3313, the Friends of the Sealy American Legion Post 442, the Sealy Area Historical Society, the Virgil & Josephine Gordon Memorial Library, and The Horticulture Committee of Austin County.
Berk was driven by an insatiable curiosity and had many varied and ever-changing interests. He tried his hand at many things over the years: learning to drive and plow with a team of draft horses, researching ostrich and emu husbandry, learning to throw a javelin and winning in the Senior Olympics, competitive bass fishing, becoming a diesel generator whisperer, alternator and starter repair shop owner, ‘trick riding’ standing on the back a moving horse, and this names only a few! He had a wonderful sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and was known for his quick wit. Berk will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his dedication to service, and his integrity.
Berk was preceded in death by his father Julius James Ehret; his mother Blanche Neeb Ehret; brothers, Julius “J.B.” Ehret and Barrett Ehret, Sr.; sisters, Claire Delger, Amy Biri, and Blanche Charbonnet. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary (Mikie) Senac Ehret; their daughter Susan Ehret Bradshaw and son-in-law Bryant of Sealy; and his dear grandsons Samuel Wyatt and Zachary Lane Bradshaw. Berk is also survived by a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will take place at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 8:30am to 10am. A Memorial Mass will follow in the funeral home chapel.
In a private ceremony, Berk will be interred in the Ehret family mausoleum at Westlawn Memorial Park in Gretna, Louisiana.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their condolences, stories and memories by visiting: www.mothefunerals.com .