Berkley Gillikin Sr.

Berkley Ray Gillikin, 87, of Otway, North Carolina passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on Monday, May 26, 2025, after an extended illness.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Armecia Lewis Cemetery on Harkers Island. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 on Thursday at Otway Christian Church in Otway. The service will be live streamed at noefs.net.

Berkley was the middle child of the late Alvie and Lida Gillikin of Otway. Born and raised in downtown Otway, now referred to as Alvie Lane. Working hard was a way of life. Even as a child, Berkley was always looking for an adventure or somewhere to go. He was never much for the chore list, especially his turn at cutting the firewood. Instead, he would climb into his father's skiff and pole down the creek looking for something to eat, the extra he sold to make extra money.

As a young man, his love for adventure and excitement led him up and down the eastern seaboard working on a dredge from Delaware to Florida with many others from Otway. Dredging with the fellows was a way to see other places and ways of life.

In 1983, Berkley decided to stay closer to home and started a new career with the North Carolina State Port. Even closer to home, he would still allow time every year to travel to California to visit with family and "see the sights," with this opportunity at the Port he would continue to work many long hours and eventually retired as a supervisor after 20 years, with life-long friends and memories. Berkley soon came to realize he was not suited for "sitting around the house," he needed to be out and going.

In 2002, he started and operated the B.R. Gillikin and Son Trucking Company, which is still in full operation today, under the supervision of his son BJ. He loved the feel of the dump truck under his feet and the sound of the engine. He would work from early morning until the job was done.

In recent years, as life started to slow down, he would say "God is going to take me when he's ready." Berkley was a past member of the Otway Christian Church and in later years an active member of the Otway Free Will Baptist Church. He loved participating in church clean up days and church celebration dinners. Any reason to go to church, he was there. Berkley even celebrated his 85th birthday at church surrounded with family and friends. On any given day, you could find Berkley making his rounds in Otway, getting a steak sub from Crossroads or checking on the boys at the pit.

Berkley was not a man that decorated life with words. Berkley was the type of man that said what he thought and meant what he said. He believed a man's job was to work any job he could and work hard, providing for his family. He looked forward to lunch with high school classmates, retired port coworkers and working for the church. When asked how he was doing he would always say "Well, I'm beating Noe's and Munden's out of another day." Well, your day has come "Old Man" as he was affectionally called, no more of not being able to do.

Berkley is survived by his son, Berkley Ray Gillikin, Jr. of the home; daughter, Etta Willis (Rusty) of Williston; sister, Matilda Davis of Otway; caregiver and niece, Bobbie Lynn Gillikin of Otway; Frank-Man of Morehead City; multiple grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and furry companions, Elza Mae, Hank, Lucy and Charlie Rose.

Berkley was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elza; son, Johnny Ray; brother, Bobby Gray (Sandra); parents; in-laws; and multiple brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to extend a sincere gratitude and appreciation to Pruitt Health Hospice for their kindness, time and patience. We thank God for you: Shavon, Barbara, Beverly, Amy and Pastor Jeremy, Kim and Joyce.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Berkley's name can be made to Meals on Wheels, 1536 Harkers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.