Dennis Duane Cherry
Funeral services for Dennis Duane Cherry, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2013, at First Baptist Church, West Plains, Missouri, with Reverend Spencer Ray officiating, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Cherry passed away at 11:05 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born October 23, 1930, at Tabor, Iowa, to Albert and Beulah Asman Cherry. He attended West Plains High School and graduated with the Class of 1948. On November 7, 1950, he was married at Hardy, Arkansas, to Irene Bench. After graduation, Dennis worked for his father at OK Tire Shop before joining the United States Navy in 1951. Dennis was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy for thirty years, before retiring back to West Plains in 1981. He was a medical corpsman and served with the Marines during the Korean War; he received the Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and achieved the highest rank of Master Chief. During his military service, he also served in California, Virginia, Rhode Island, Florida, the Philippine Islands, Guantanamo Bay Cuba and Tennessee. At each place they were stationed, Dennis and Irene found a local church where they could serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served the Lord in West Plains at First Baptist Church for many years as a Deacon and teacher of the young married couple’s class. In his later years, he had a special passion for helping those in need through service on the First Baptist Church Benevolence Committee. After retirement, Dennis enjoyed gardening and especially raising delicious tomatoes, which he shared with family and friends. He was a fervent supporter of the Missouri State University Grizzly basketball team and Dennis and Irene were a host family to a basketball player each year. He was one of their most ardent followers until this last year, traveled to every away game as well as attending the home games. However, his greatest joy was found in leading someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Anyone who asked how he was doing would hear the reply, “I am blessed” and know that he meant it because of his relationship with the Lord.
He is survived by his wife, Irene, of the family home; two daughters, Cindy Doss, husband, Jack, West Plains, Missouri and Pamela Kinney, husband, Al, Severna Park, Maryland; one sister, Susie Whitsell, husband, Phill; two brothers-in-law, Bob Bench and Junior Bench, wife, Vadna; one sister-in-law, Clara Zell Cherry; seven grandchildren, Rebecca and Sarah Doss, Caleb, Creghton, Grace, Emma and Mia Kinney; and two great-grandchildren, Eve Marie and Ransom Niesen.
His parents and one brother, Jim Cherry, precede him in death.
Mr. Cherry will lie in state from 4:00 p.m., Saturday until Noon Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Fara Cheever
March 15, 2013 @ 1:34 pm
Irene and family,
Dennis has been a great example for so many and we will greatly miss him . However, we rejoice with you in the knowledge that he is with our Lord and Saviour. Looking forward to a reunion with him one day. We are all ‘Blesses” to have known Dennis.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Glenn and Fara Cheever
Rose Obunaga
March 15, 2013 @ 2:28 pm
I am blessed to have known him and may his soul Rest in Peace. Condolences to Irene and the rest of the family.
Maxine Foster Napier
March 15, 2013 @ 3:41 pm
I was sorry to hear of the death of another of my classmates. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Dennis was a well respected and caring person and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Mary Kellum
March 15, 2013 @ 4:27 pm
I love you so very much Mrs. Cherry and my heart is with you at this time. Yes, Dennis was truly blessed but we too have been blessed by having him in our lives. Thank for all the times you and he have brightened my day. God is holding you close to his heart at this time.
Francis Gary and Delvonte Pierre
March 15, 2013 @ 4:30 pm
Our hearts are heavy for the entire Cherry Family
Do now Mr.Cherry was loved by so many and will be missed so deeply by all that he has touched throughout his life
Grizzly fan for life he will always be in our hearts
Francis Gary Delvonte Pierre
Keith Weaver
March 15, 2013 @ 4:51 pm
Mrs. Cherry,
What a blessing to have worked alongside Dennis at the Court House for several years. We shall see him again soon in the Kingdom! Till then:
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Bill and Vickie Johnson
March 15, 2013 @ 5:33 pm
Our lives have been touched by Mr. Cherry’s smile and kindness. He was a humble man who loved the Grizzlies. Mrs. Cherry, we will miss him too. We are thinking of you and praying that you have peace and comfort and God’s richest blessings always. Love you much!!
marin
March 15, 2013 @ 9:11 pm
he was my dad that i never had
Don and Carmen Howard
March 15, 2013 @ 9:41 pm
Irene, Cindy, and family. We are saddened to learn of your husband and dad’s passing. Dennis came over to greet us and introduce himself to us last Sunday night service. We’re glad we got to meet him. From reading, he’s touched many lives and was a shining example of His love and compassion. You all are in our prayers. May His peace that passes all understanding see you through this, and because He lives you can face tomorrow. ..Don and Carmen Howard
Devon peltier
March 15, 2013 @ 10:33 pm
Devon Peltier , former grizzly basketball player!
My sincere condolences goes out to the Cherry family, I always looked forward to seeing him at the games, he motivated me to play my best every single night! He will truly be missed
RIP Dennis Duane Cherry
Joan Rose
March 15, 2013 @ 11:20 pm
My heart is heavy for the grief that you must bear, but at the same time, I know that his reward will be great. I feel so fortunate to have known his smiling face and warm presence. He has blessed many more lives that he was ever aware of.
julie and brian ostermann
March 16, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
The Ostermann family was blessed to know Dennis and Irene for a short time. In that time he found a place in out hearts. We will miss him ad will all of grizzly nation. Irene, our prayers are with you. Let God guide you through this time of need.
Kris Frazier
March 16, 2013 @ 5:05 pm
Always will be loved Mr. Cherry he was a good man and I’m so hurt I didn’t get too see him they didn’t a lot for everybody and never ask for anything back this has hurt me so bad R.I.P Mr. Cherry and love you Ms. Cherry
Fritter family
March 18, 2013 @ 6:59 am
Pam and family,
So sorry for your loss. Our home is in Heaven – Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you…” and someday you’ll see those that have gone before – welcoming you home. May the comfort of the Lord Jesus comfort you during this time of grief in missing your Dad, and Granddad.
Pam McCormick
March 18, 2013 @ 4:43 pm
I was so blessed to have met Dennis through the Grizzly Basketball Office. He and his wife, Irene, became fast friends and family! I feel a great loss but know that he is in good hands and that he will continue his work for the best BOSS around. Dennis – what is our loss is most defiintely HEAVEN’s gain! Irene – I cannot imagine! I just keep remembering Dennis always with a smile and a kind word, always wanting to do more. And I remember the two of you – the perfect couple in every way! My prayers, thoughts and love are with you and your family!
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
March 18, 2013 @ 7:42 pm
We are so sorry about the passing of Mr. Cherry, and would like the family to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Charlotte Hickman
March 20, 2013 @ 9:21 pm
My deepest sympathy thoughts and prayers for you Irene, Cindy and Jack, Pam and all the rest of the family. Dennis was a very “special” man of God.
My parents, Carroll & Diana Hickman also convey their condolences to all of you.
Evie Marie
August 2, 2015 @ 4:56 pm
He was a good grandfather to me.I hope he stays in my heart.I hope God takes good care of him in heaven.it was sad to see him die I cried really hard. I miss him in heaven.