Henry Swift Cherry

In Loving Memory of HENRY SWIFT ("JAKE") CHERRY 4/14/1939 - 6/11/2025
"On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand."
"When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne."
Heaven has gained an angel. We are so saddened by the loss of a great, godly man, husband, father and grandfather. Jake was dedicated to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was an example of service and love to his family and those around him. He was humble and wise. His generosity was boundless. Jake was an incredible story-teller, always followed by his unforgettable full-body laugh. Whether it was through offering a kind word or simply praying with someone, he gave of himself without hesitation. We were blessed to have him in our lives, and he will be forever loved and missed by all.
Jake passed away on June 11, 2025, after a battle with Parkinson's. He was born in 1939 at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, to Henry Thomas Cherry, Jr. and Suzanne Swift Cherry. In 1957, he graduated from North East High School (now Douglas MacArthur High School). He is the first four-year football letterman in the North East Independent School District and his letter jacket resides in the corporate offices of Blossom Athletic Center. Following high school, he played football for one year at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, then returned to Texas where he obtained a degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Afterward, he served as a Military Police Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army at Killeen Base (Fort Hood). He had two lengthy careers in San Antonio; first, as a Texas road contractor and last as President of the San Antonio Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter for men. In 2017, Jake was chosen by the NEISD for enshrinement on its "Wall of Heroes" at Heroes Stadium.
Upon returning to San Antonio after military service, he attended St. David's Episcopal Church, where he served as Vestryman and Senior Warden. Upon leaving St. David's, he attended Trinity Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon, Director/Teacher of "That Class" Sunday School and an original member of Trinity's Prayer Ministry. After Buckner Fanning retired, Jake joined The Fellowship Church where he was a Deacon and a board member of the Buckner Fanning Christian School. He later returned to his roots and attended St. David's Episcopal Church until his death.
Jake and his wife, Maryln, married in 1987. Together they have five children, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is preceded in passing by his parents, grandparents and son, Allan Swift Cherry. He is survived by his wife, Maryln; sister Suzanne Palmer Gallagher (Dan); children: Pamela Cherry Stines, Henry Allan "Hank" Cherry (Debbie), Grant David Cherry (Lizeth), Brett Richardson (Amelia) and Leslie Allison (Simmons); grandchildren: Jessie Claire Henderson (Benjamin), Kyla Caruso (Mike), Henry Collins "Collin" Cherry (Nika), Cody Cherry, Michael Cherry, Jake Cherry, Delaney Richardson, Jillian Richardson, Jennifer Farhenkrug, Tres Allison and Trevor Allison; great grandchildren: Preston Castillo, Tristan Castillo, Christian Fahrenkrug, Giana Garza, Siena Caruso and Scarlet Caruso; niece and nephew, Carol and Christopher Vincent (Nichole).
A celebration of life service and reception/luncheon will be held July 15, 2025 at ten o'clock a.m., at St. David's Episcopal Church, 1300 Wiltshire Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209. Memorial gifts may be made to St. David's or the San Antonio Rescue Mission, 907 E. Quincy, San Antonio, TX 78205.