Charles Walter "Chuck" Cherry

Charles "Chuck" Cherry, 84, of Edmond, OK, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior early in the morning on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Chuck was born in Oklahoma City on December 22, 1939, to Walter and Kathryn Cherry. He grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1958. Upon graduation, he attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas followed by two years of reservist service in the United States Air Force. He attended college at the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1962. He married the love of his life, Rita McAnulty Cherry, on September 1, 1962. Shortly after, Chuck and Rita moved to Colorado where Chuck started his career at Martin Marietta as an engineer on the Titan III rocket. In 1968, they moved to Decatur, Illinois where he and his new business partner opened their own company, Colorado Scientific Laboratories, to research and implement a way to convert vegetable oil into hexane. While in Illinois, Chuck and Rita had two children, Doug and Christa. In 1974, Chuck moved his family back home to Edmond, Oklahoma where he took a position as the Vice-President of Engineering for Autoquip Corporation. He worked at Autoquip for the rest of his career and retired in 2003. He continued working for a few more years as a consultant before retiring completely.
Chuck was a remarkable man. He was a loving husband who has faithfully cared for his wife, especially through her continuing 10 year progression of Alzheimer's. He also deeply loved his children and adored his grandchildren. He had a brilliant mind not only as an engineer, but also as an inventor, and an all-around ability to repair, fix, or build just about anything. He was a loyal Sooner fan, and he had spent many years in attendance at the football games as a season ticket holder. He also loved traveling, and planning travel itineraries for trips with their friends. Chuck also had a passion for flying. He fulfilled a lifelong dream and earned his private pilot's license in 1988, followed by many hours in the air. Most importantly, he was a believer in Jesus Christ, and loved the Lord in his words, deeds, and lifestyle. Chuck was known for his Christ-like generosity, and served faithfully as a deacon and an A/V technician at Edmond's First Baptist Church. He lived out his faith with quiet strength, kindness, and love, and he raised his children to know and love the Lord.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita McAnulty Cherry of Edmond; his son Doug Cherry & wife Kiki of Edmond, OK; his daughter Christa Cherry Ellis & husband Mark of Edmond, OK; his grandchildren Anna Cherry Rees & husband Jeff of Mobile, AL; Joshua Cherry of Pittsburgh, PA; Bethany Ellis and Brooklyn Ellis both of Edmond, OK. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Cherry Berger & husband Ed of Austin, TX; his sister-in-law, Carol Gallion of Yukon, OK along with his nieces, Meredith Berger Chambers & husband Spencer and children of Pearland, TX; Emily Berger Buchanan & husband Brad and children of Austin, TX; and nephew, Greg Berger & wife Jennelle and children of San Antonio, TX; and nephew David Gallion & wife Helen and children of Yukon, OK.
Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Brown Cherry and Kathryn Short Cherry; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Willie Neill McAunlty and Jo Doggett McAnulty; as well as many adored aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:00 am at Crawford Family Funeral Home at 610 NW 178th St., Edmond, OK 73012 with interment immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery in Edmond, OK.
An opportunity for viewing will be on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Crawford Family Funeral Home starting at noon. The family will be there to greet you from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Edmond's First Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.