Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thomas Arthur Cherry

Thomas Arthur Cherry, born July 5, 1912 in Huntington, Arkansas passed away on Friday, November 20, 2009 in Poteau. He was the only child of Thomas Arthur Cherry and Rhoda Pearl Hodges Cherry. Tom graduated Mansfield High School in 1930 and attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Theta Kappa Nu fraternity. In 1933 he left the University to go into retail business with his father and a cousin in Mansfield, AR. Later he worked for Reynolds Davis Wholesale Grocery in Ft. Smith, managed Ouachita Grocery in Camden, AR then moved to Poteau in 1959. The business which he started, owned and operated with his son Steve, Cherry Wholesale Grocery closed in 1986. Tom was a loyal member of Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, and a long-time member and worker of the United Methodist Church and the Methodist Men's organization. He is well known for his ability to sell large quantities of Pancake Breakfast tickets for both Kiwanis and Methodist Men. He was an extremely loyal Arkansas Razorback fan and followed all Arkansas athletics. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Neal Jones Cherry, two daughters, Carol Landfair and Linda Roseman. He is survived by two sons Tom Cherry and his wife Norma of St. Simon's Island, Georgia and Steve Cherry and his wife Gloria of Poteau, and one son-in-law, Robert Landfair of Tillar, AR. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Services will be held Friday, November 27, at 2 pm at the United Methodist Church in Poteau under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 26th between the hours of 6 and 8 pm at Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, OK. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church building fund - 109 South Harper, Poteau, OK or the Poteau Christian Free Clinic, PO Box 160, Poteau, OK 74953

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Tom - I will miss you. You gave me my first job in Poteau, in 1976,after moving here from Arizona. You took a chance on a longish haired and bearded young man you didn't know and helped him and his family get settled in Oklahoma. My family and I will always be thankful for you and your family. May you enjoy the glory of heaven. Dale Fraze, Sr. and family