David James Cherry

David was born on November 28, 1933, in Fort Madison, Iowa, to Henry Marvin Cherry and Ethel Mae Miller Cherry. He graduated from Fort Madison High School before attending Iowa State University where he obtained a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

David was a veteran, having served in the U.S Army from 1953 to 1955.

David began his career as a chemical engineer at Firestone Tires in 1959. Beginning in 1967, David spent over a decade working at Ciba-Geigy, where he became General Sales Manager of the Plastic and Additives division. He then moved to Texas in 1981 upon founding his own specialty plastic company, Research Polymers International, employing over 200 people. By 1986 the company had grown into a highly profitable company at which time David sold his company to Dexter Corporation. Not ready to retire yet, David then founded his second specialty plastics company, UVTEC, Inc., growing it too into a highly profitable company before selling it ultimately to Spartech Corp. in 2002.

David was not only a self-made entrepreneur, owning and operating several other companies, he also was an author. He developed a framework to better understand and manage people according to their “thinking style” and in 1992, co-authored the book "Brainstyles: Be Who You Really Are" based upon his framework. In 2022, David published his second book, "Brain Boost Your Journey to Success" based upon 15 key business principles he developed over the course of his career, spanning more than seven decades.

Through the years, David enjoyed playing bridge, golfing and dancing. But more than anything, he loved teaching and found great joy in sharing the pearls of wisdom he learned throughout his life with the hope of enriching the lives of others.

David is survived by his loving, long-time companion Debra Williams, his brother Daniel Cherry and wife Katie, his sister Dorre Ray and husband Alan, his daughter Cassandra Cherry Burns and husband Kelly, his son James Cherry and wife Ginny, his grandchildren Nigel, Ziyal, Chesney and Egan and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is forever grateful to Lori Jackson for her over 30 years of support as well as all of the many household employees and caregivers that David had during his lifetime that provided invaluable support and loving care, not only during his final days, but throughout his entire life.

Preceding David in death were his parents, Marvin and Ethel, as well as brothers Alfred, Raymond and Melton and sisters Elizabeth, Lillian and Violet.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations can be made in his memory to a charitable organization benefiting veterans and their families.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Cherry family.