Stanislaus County supervisors recall a dedicated public servant in colleague Tom Berryhill
Fellow board members reacted with heavy hearts Sunday afternoon upon the passing of Tom Berryhill, the Stanislaus County Supervisor who died Saturday.
”I was blessed to know Tom as a colleague and a friend and to serve with him in both the Legislature and on the County Board of Supervisors,” said Kristin Olsen, board chairwoman, in a news release. “Throughout his career, he was a staunch advocate for agriculture and water, and his leadership will be missed across the State.
“Tom had an infectious laugh and was beloved by Republicans and Democrats alike. ... Tom was dedicated to serving his community right up until the end, having participated in a seven-hour board meeting just days before his passing. I will miss him, and my heartfelt condolences go to his wife Loretta and daughters Sam and Jessica.”
Mr. Berryhill was elected to the Board of Supervisors in November 2018 after term limits ended his political career in Sacramento. He had served a dozen years as an assemblyman and state senator before his election to the board.
Mr. Berryhill took office as a supervisor in January 2019 and had more than two years remaining on his four-year term. Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint Mr. Berryhill’s successor, said County Counsel Thomas Boze, citing Government Code section 25060, which gives the governor that authority.
Boze said there is no time limit for when Newsom must make an appointment, and he is not required to confer with Stanislaus County officials regarding the appointment. But Boze said he believes previous governors had sought local officials’ input.
Newsom is a Democrat and the Stanislaus supervisors are Republicans so his appointment could change the political makeup of the board.
The four other supervisors joined Board Chairwoman Olsen in remembering Mr. Berryhill.
“I have known Tom Berryhill and his family for 40 years and am saddened by his passing,” said Supervisor Jim DeMartini. “Tom was a good friend, a fiscal conservative and an advocate for agriculture. I enjoyed working with him the past two years ... .”
During several meetings this year, Mr. Berryhill participated by phone, casting his votes as he did just last Tuesday.
Mr. Berryhill was a Republican and represented the board’s Fourth District, which includes most of Modesto, Del Rio and a small part of Ceres.
Said Supervisor Terry Withrow, who received Mr. Berryhill’s support at Tuesday’s meeting on an unsuccessful motion to defy a state order to keep schools closed: “It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside Tom as a County Supervisor. His heart and passion to serve our community was unmatched. I watched with awe, in spite of his recent physical limitations, a man dedicated and determined to still fulfill his duties. We are all going to really miss him.”
Mr. Berryhill had Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. He was not able to campaign actively in the election for supervisor and was in the hospital when new county officials were sworn in to office in January 2019. But he flourished as a politician despite long-term health problems. His 12 years as an assemblyman and state senator followed a heart transplant in 2001.
He was born in Ceres and was a small businessman and fourth-generation farmer. And he came from a family steeped in politics. His brother Bill also served in the Legislature. And their father, the late Clare Berryhill, was a longtime Republican legislator who also served as state director of food and agriculture.
“Tom Berryhill has been a dedicated servant his entire life,” said Supervisor Vito Chiesa. “Both in Stanislaus County and at the State level, Berryhill lived to serve. My heart goes out to his wife Loretta and the family at this difficult time.”
Bee reporter Kevin Valine contributed to this report.
This story was originally published August 30, 2020 at 3:26 PM.
