Ray Cherry II

Ray Cherry Obituary

RAY CHERRY, II born April 16, 1958 in Houston passed away on January 26, 2002. He was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Bailey Cherry. Survived by his father, Rayburn C. Cherry; sister, Karen Gerault; brother, Wayne Cherry and sister-in-law, Debbie Cherry; aunt and uncle, Lamona and O.D. Cherry; nieces, Cherry and Jennifer Gerault; nephews, Wayne and Jeffrey Cherry, numerous other relatives and many close friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday, January 28, 2002 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Tuesday, January 29, 2002 in the Family Chapel of Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2211 Norfolk, Suite 614, Houston, Texas 77098.

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Published by Houston Chronicle on Jan. 28, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Cherry

6 Entries

David Hungerford

February 25, 2002

For Karen, Wayne, Debbie, Mr. Cherry and the rest of the family, please accept my deepest sympathy. I hope these somewhat random memories of the times Ray and I shared will make you smile.

I guess that Ray was my oldest friend. We moved to Houston when I was in kindergarten--so Ray and I were in Sunday school together from the time we were 6. We were in primary choir together with a lady who directed by moving her hand, bent as if to shade her eyes but held out directly in front of her, up and down to mark higher or lower notes. We learned to sing together.

After Sunday School, we used to go up to the College & Career department (run by the Cherry's at that time) on the 8th floor of the old downtown FBC, to snag the leftover Shipley's donuts Mr. Cherry always brought.

I remember trading sleepovers when we were little—Mrs. Cherry made the best breakfasts. That was definitely the "Ray Ray" era. I remember Wayne being about 16 and having a gold Pontiac Tempest (shared with Karen, if I remember) with an 8-track deck--it was SO cool (think Beach Boys). I remember Ray's stint in the "Singing Boys of Houston"? That may have been 4th or 5th grade; he was proud of that (despite the outfits). He did have a great voice, especially before testosterone deepened it—good thing we weren’t living in 16th century Austria.

Ah, the after-church-on-Sunday night fellowships at the Cherry house. You know, I vaguely remember my older sister going to their house for fellowships before they moved to Holly Springs (although I didn't begin doing sleepovers until after). They must've begun that tradition when Karen and Wayne were much younger. I carry of picture in my mind of Mr. Cherry, sitting on a cooler in the utility room, opening soda bottles with a church key. One time, we must’ve been in junior high, a small group of us created a special "dip" by chewing up Ritz crackers, spitting the golden mastication on fresh ones, then leaving a serving platter full of on the table. They all were eaten by unknowing fellow youth group members, if I recall correctly.

Ray introduced me to a wide range of music--from the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Peter Frampton to Uncle Tupelo and Sonvolt. Even after all these years, the last time I saw him in Houston ('98) he was anxious for me to listen to a new, relatively obscure CD he had really fallen for--one I had bought myself a few weeks before. In working through his favorite music that night, we found that our musical tastes were still very, very close across a wide range of styles and types. Sometimes I wonder whether we just had the same taste in music or if my early exposure to his wide range of tastes influenced mine. In any case, he gave to me--or at least nurtured and influenced--my love of music (especially bluegrass). For that I'll always be grateful.

Which brings to mind Ray dragging me to a concert one summer--I think it was either '76 or '77. I wasn't real excited at the prospect of seeing some heavy metal bands, especially since I was into Dan Fogelberg and Jackson Browne at the time, but he convinced me they were worth hearing. A double bill at the old Music Hall downtown: Journey and Van Halen. That still ranks as one of the best concerts I ever saw.

Ray and I also stood in line together at the Galleria, near the ice rink, must’ve been May '77, just after I returned from Baylor for the summer, to see a new movie that was supposed to be pretty good. I think a lot of people in our generation remember where they were and who they were with when they saw "Star Wars" the first time--it was truly a seminal event that we shared.

Even after a few weeks, I still don't know how I feel--maybe still in a bit of denial; maybe just sad. I really regret not knowing about his death in time to attend his funeral; but I regret more that I'd seen so little of him the past few years. We both really enjoyed our last visit and I felt like our connection was warmer and stronger than it had been since High School. I guess I never thought that our times together would end so soon.

Carol Adams

January 29, 2002

I regret that so many years have passed since I've spoken to Ray. I knew him in High School and saw him only a couple of times after that, but he was always kind and I am grateful to have known him. I extend sincere condolences to his family.

Chuck Campbell

January 29, 2002

Ray and I were very good friends in High School and this carried on a bit into college, but as with a lot of things time, distance and jobs carried us in separate directions. I'm very sad to say that this is the first contact I've had with Ray in many years, and yet Ray continues to have an impact on my life today.

Ray was the first person to teach me how to play guitar and we enjoyed countless hours of playing music for our friends at our High School. Today I'm still playing guitar for anyone that will listen (my kids have no choice). I will always play guitar, at least as long as I am able and it will be because Ray patiently taught me how to work through those first basic chords. I will never be able to play again without thinking of Ray.

I would like to send my condolences to the Cherry family. Ray will be sorely missed.

Chuck Campbell

(NW Academy Alum. 1976)

Janet Covington

January 28, 2002

Ray was a fine friend -- always ready to laugh and to offer a smile and a joke. My condolences to his family and his network of friends. He will certainly be missed.

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Conrad Beinstingel

January 28, 2002

Please accept my condolences. Ray will be missed.

Conrad

Richard Wedel

January 28, 2002

Ray was a man who I first met at one of my favorite cigar shops, doing what he and I loved, smoking a good cigar with good friends.

I think he would have enjoyed this quote.

The Scent of a Good Cigar

What is it comes through the deepening dusk,-Something sweeter than jasmine scent, Sweeter than rose and violet blent, More potent in power than orange or musk?

The scent of a good cigar.

I am all alone in my quiet room,

And all the windows are open wide and free to let in the south wind's kiss for me, while I rock in the softly gathering gloom, and that subtle fragrance steals.

Just as a loving, tender hand will sometimes steal in yours, it softly comes through the open doors, and memory wakes at its command,

The scent of that good cigar.

And what does it say? Ah, that's for me and my heart alone to know;

But that heart thrills with a sudden glow, tears fill my eyes till I cannot see,- From the scent of that good cigar.

Rest in peace Ray, you will be missed.

Richard & Debbie Wedel