Alan Gerald Cherry

It is with both sorrow and gratitude in our hearts that we announce the departure of Alan Gerald Cherry, born on February 14, 1946, in Queens, New York. Beloved husband, father, and friend, Alan passed away on July 4, 2024, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew him. As the great Maya Angelou once noted, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Alan, with his genuine warmth and boundless generosity, made everyone around him feel special and loved.
Alan moved from his birthplace in Queens to make his home in Provo, Utah, where he created a rich life filled with family, friends, and service to his community. He was a devoted husband to Janice Barkum Cherry and a proud and present father to his children, Bethany Anne, Anna Marie, and Seth Alan. Alan's professional life was spent doing a great many things. He left his physical mark on the entertainment industry with his membership in the original BYU Young Ambassadors Group, his band the Sons of Mosiah, his published autobiography It's You and Me Lord, his role in the 1981 movie Harry's War, his appearance on The Donny and Marie Show, and his work in the movie Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and one of the only Black members to reside in Provo during the 1960's and 70's. Alan gave several firesides and speeches chronicling his life as a Black member of the religion. He was also tasked with recording the stories of other Black members of the faith. The Oral History project saw Alan traveling across the United States to document the stories and lives of these Black church members. His work was instrumental in preserving history and will be used as research for generations to come. Of course, his favorite job was being a father to his children and a friend to his loved ones. To quote one of his favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life, "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." And he had many. Alan left behind a legacy of love, kindness, and laughter that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Julius Cherry, and his sister, Amanda Goodwin. His spirit will live on in the hearts of his surviving family and all those whose lives he touched. A viewing will be held at 1:30pm MDT on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Nelson Family Mortuary, located at 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah, 84604. This will be followed by the funeral service at 2:30pm MDT at the same location. The graveside service will take place on Tuesday, July 23 at 11:00am MDT at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah, 84065.
We invite you to share your memories of Alan and upload photos to his memorial page as a tribute to his remarkable life. His story is not only told through his accomplishments but also through the lives he touched and the love he shared. Let us remember Alan for his loving nature, his dedication to his family, his bright spirit, his love of laughter, and his enduring legacy. His life was a testament to the power of love, community, and laughter, and he will be deeply missed.