Lee William Cherry

Lee William Cherry, 75, of Springfield, Tennessee was called to heaven on 12 September 2022, after battling a long illness. He was surrounded by his loving wife, daughter and son. Lee was born 25 March 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Paul W. and Dorothy J. Cherry. Lee graduated from Mona Shores High School in 1965. He went to community college for a brief time before joining the United States Air Force, to avoid being drafted into the Army. Lee joined the United States Air Force in 1966. He was stationed in Turkey, France, and Minot, North Dakota, USA and honorably discharged in 1970. He then joined the United States Navy in 1972, where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Forestall, then the USS Hancock. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier during the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War. He made three world cruises while assigned to the aircraft carriers visiting places such as Greece, Tokyo, Thailand, Philippians. He was also stationed in Diego Garcia, located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. State side, he served as a Navy Recruiter for 6 ½ years, in several cities in Michigan. He was stationed in other states during his military carrier, I.e., Tennessee, California, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged when he retired in September 1988, after 20 years of service. Lee was the oldest of 4 siblings and met his first wife, Suzanne Mcpheron in 1964 when they were co-workers at Meijer in Montague, Mi. They married in 1966 and had two children: Bruce and Jeff. After the two divorced in 1975, Lee met and married Becky Lou Cherry, with whom he would have two more children: Cathrine and Joshuah. Lee especially loved Hunting, flying, boating, traveling/sightseeing, building Lego sets, talking, he could strike up a conversation about anything with anyone, gun collecting and shooting. Lee was a life member of the DAV, VFW, VVA, NRA. He was a 32nd Degree Master Mason and Shriner. Favorite memories of Lee and what made him special … His smile, laughter, love for his family and dogs, his work ethic. He had no filter and always said what he meant. Wore his feelings on his sleeve. Spoiled his wife. Favorite quotes “Buy the best you can afford”, “Won’t be this way tomorrow”, “Make way regular Navy”, “You gonna take it all?” Remaining to cherish Lee’s memory are his wife and 4 children; grandchildren, Seth Cherry, Elizabeth Cherry, Taylor Rockefeller, Casey Rockefeller, Sophia Cherry; brothers, Allan (Sharon) Cherry, Bill Cherry; sister, Paulette (Harry) Coldren; nieces and nephews, Preceding Lee in death are Paul W Cherry and Dorothy Cherry; parents, Visitation will be held 20 September 2022, at 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Dryer Funeral Home, Holly, Michigan. Funeral/Memorial Services will be held 21 September 2022 at 11:00am – 12:00noon. Robert Krellwitz, brother-in-law, of Lee’s spouse officiating. Interment will be at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan. Military Honors will be conducted by the US Navy. Memorial donations in Lee’s memory may be directed to Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

Lee William Cherry

March 25, 1947 - September 12, 2022