Brian Wherry

Brian Wherry, 52, passed away on Monday, January 27 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.  He went peacefully, surrounded by his wife and close family.

Brian was born on December 14, 1972 to Dr. Richard Jobson Wherry, MD and Julie Ann (Snyder) Wherry in Bowling Green, Ohio.  He was raised in northwest Ohio with brothers Steven and Kevin Wherry.

From an early age Brian always enjoyed traveling, visiting locations all around the US and abroad, including such far flung places as China, Bali, and the Philippines.  He kept a briefcase covered in travel stickers from many of the destinations he visited and, more enduringly, left behind friends of all stripes whose hearts he touched.  At his best, Brian lived as an example of how to find uncomplicated joy rooted in simplicity.

In 2007, Brian married Mary Beth Kerwin, and they have two children, Riley Grace Wherry, age 11, and Chase Edward Wherry, age 5.  Being a dad was what Brian cherished the most in life.

Brian worked with his hands for most of his life - he was a house painter for many years whose customers usually felt he had done the best work they had ever seen.  Working also in marine construction for the last several years, Brian often would boast he hadn’t worked enough if he didn’t come home sore, and took pride in showing a good work ethic on the job.

Brian was outdoorsy by nature, and most of his hobbies reflected that.  Surfing and skateboarding were two of his big ones, followed by gardening, planting trees, swimming, and generally anything that could be done outside.  He also enjoyed various types of art, including pottery, painting and drawing.

Brian will be remembered for many things.  He loved his family and children fiercely.  He was amazing at problem solving and thinking up creative solutions to problems.  He single-handedly built his family’s horse farm and barn, and did custom repair work on many boats.  If he didn’t know how to fix or do something, he would study and learn about it until he did.  He never met a problem he didn’t tackle head on with a humble heart.

Brian was preceded in death by his father and mother and also his cousins David Snyder and Todd Huth.

Brian is survived by his wife Mary Beth Wherry, and their two children Riley and Chase; his brothers Steven Snyder Wherry (Ashley) and Kevin Charles Wherry (Melissa); his half-brother Richard Scott Wherry (Lydia); his three nieces Susannah (Wherry) Hippalgaonkar, Ella Wherry and Lydia Wherry; his two nephews August Wherry and Liam Wherry; his uncles Wayne “Sonny” Snyder Jr. (Vickie) and Daniel G. Wherry; his cousins James Snyder, Taryn (Huth) Burkhart, Kristy (Wherry) Atkins and Jill (Wherry) Akins, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James Kerwin and Denise Kerwin.

Along with his family, Brian was a member of his local church, Christian Faith Center in Middleburg, FL, which will host Brian’s Memorial Service/Celebration of Life. The service will be Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. at 4021 Everett Avenue, Middleburg, FL 32068, officiated by Pastor Mark Sellers.

Brian asked that those who might come, please do not wear black as he wanted the event to be a celebration!  There will also be an opportunity for friends and family to share favorite memories of Brian.

In lieu of flowers, Brian’s family asks that friends interested in remembering him please consider a gift to the American Cancer Society.