Dr. Richard “Dick” Theodore Cherry, 83, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012. He was born in Houston, on November 10, 1928, to Mattie Gilpin Cherry and Harvey Anderson Cherry.
Dick was a graduate of Regan High School in Houston and received his Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M, and his Master’s and Doctorates degrees from the University of Texas. He studied at the Freie University of Berlin, Germany and completed the program of Theological Education for Ministry provided by the School of Theology of the South. He taught at the University of Texas in Austin, Lee Jr. College, Texas A&M and at Lamar University where he retired from and was honored as one of the first Regent Professors. He authored a text book and wrote numerous academic papers.
A United States Marine Corp veteran, he later served in the United States Army as a Counter Intelligence Agent in Berlin. Dr. Cherry was a long time "1928 PBer" member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Dick's life was blessed with many caring friends and his doctors, Glen G. Guillet and T. Randy Lombardo and the St. Mark's Episcopal Church family.
Special thanks to Harbor Hospice for their kind and gentle assistance.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Gertrude S. Carruth Cherry; son, Dr. Daniel A. Cherry and wife, Pam; and grandson, Christian D. Cherry, all of Johns Island, South Carolina. He also leaves a large family that he "married". They all loved and respected him.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harvey A. and Mattie Cherry; sister, Meryl; and five brothers, James, Herbert, Clyde, Norman and Harvey.
His memorial will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2012 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, with The Reverends Frank Fuller, A. Dean Calcote and Byron G. Crocker officiating. A gathering of his family and friends will immediately follow his service in the Cloister at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to the charity of one’s choice.
