Walter Brown Cherry

Walter Brown Cherry, 89, was dedicated to his faith, his family and his friends. He died Monday, October 14, 2002, in Oklahoma City. Born December 23, 1912, in Fort Worth, to William W. and Verbena Cherry, Walt grew up in Texas and graduated from high school in Plainview. He attended the University of Oklahoma and was living in the basement of the parsonage of the Nazarene Church in Norman, when he met the love of his life, Kathryn, at a church gathering. They were married in August, 1935. After they were married, he worked several years for Alexander Drug designing and installing equipment throughout OKC. During WWII, he worked in the food service department at Tinker Field, where he had the opportunity to purchase a surplus metal building. Not having funds of their own, Walt and Kathryn's friend Noble James loaned them the money to buy the building to open a small hamburger stand, which they installed at the corner of 13th and Broadway in OKC. That was the beginning of Cherry's for Hamburgers and their food service establishments, OKC institutions for nearly 35 years. Walt was active in the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association, serving on the boards of both organizations and as president of ORA. His fellow restaurateurs honored him on many occasions for his work, especially in the areas of education, training and scholarships. They sold the last of their restaurants in 1978 and 'retired' from the business but remained active with their church and traveled throughout the United States in their motor home. He was very involved with his church, Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene, for over 65 years. He served several terms on the church board and taught an adult Sunday School class for decades. Walt leaves his wife of 67 years, Kathryn Short Cherry; son Charles and daughter-in-law Rita of Edmond; daughter Janice and son-in-law Ed of Austin, Texas; sister Gladys LeCrone of OKC; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Memorial contributions may be made to OKC First Church of the Nazarene, 4400 NW Expressway, OKC, 73116. The family will receive visitors at Guardian North Funeral Home, 11600 North Pennsylvania, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16. Funeral services will be at OKC First Church of the Nazarene on Thurs., October 17, at 2 p.m. with graveside services to follow at Memorial Cemetery, Memorial Road and Broadway Extension, OKC. GUARDIAN NORTH 11600 N. Pennsylvania Ave.