Robert Tompkins Cherry Sr.

CHERRY SR., Robert Tompkins- age 76 passed away on April 16, 2010 surrounded by his loving family after a short illness. He was born in Nashville, TN on November 8, 1933 the youngest son of Col. James McEwen Cherry and Louise Tompkins Cherry. He is survived by his faithful wife of 53 years Joan Loser Cherry, his son Robert Tomkins Cherry, Jr., his daughter Palmer Cherry Duffey and Son-In-Law Kevin P. Duffey, his grandchildren Robert Tompkins Cherry, III, K. Patrick Duffey, Lindsey Morgan Cherry, Christopher McEwen Duffey, Andrew Palmer Duffey, and Joanna Eve Isabella Duffey. He is also survived by his sister Gloria C. Maxwell and brother James M Cherry, Jr. He graduated from the University of the South, in Sewanee, TN in 1955 Summa Cum Laude and was a proud member of Phi Betta Kappa Honorary Scholastic Society and Omicron Delta Kappa. He was the Cadet Corp. Commander of the Air Force R. O. T. C. at the university and entered the service upon graduation as a Lieutenant. He earned his pilots wings in 1957 and served as a pilot and navigator in the Strategic Air Command. Upon his return to Nashville after leaving the service, he joined his father’s business the McEwen Cherry Company, a regional manufacturer’s representative firm serving the automotive industry since 1928. Upon his father’s death in 1966, he became President to carry on the family business. In 1972, he started a new company Cherrco, Inc. d.b.a. Auto Air & Sound, a manufacturer, regional distributor, and installer of A/C parts and auto accessories servicing both autos and trucks. He served as President and later on C. E. O. He loved athletics especially tennis and won many awards over the years including a club championship at Richland C. C. From 1973 – 1974, he served as President of the Southeastern Amateur Athletic Union (A. A. U.). He served on the Board of Directors of the Green Hills Y. M. C. A. from 1987 – 1989. In 1980 – 1981, he served as Chairman of the Manufacturer’s Rep Division of the Automotive Service Industries Association. He received the coveted “Pioneer Award” from the N. A. R. S. A., the national radiator trade association in 1993 after many years of success in the automotive cooling industry. His family mourns this tremendous loss but will forever celebrate his life with which they were very blessed! In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army to help those in need and less fortunate individuals and families. Active Pallbearer’s are: grandsons Robert T. Cherry, III, K. Patrick Duffey, and nephews Donald B. Orr, Jefferson C. Orr, J. Russell Haselton, and J. Hall Haselton. Honorary Pallbearer’s: Christopher M. Duffey and Richard D. Jones. Visitation with the family will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Sunday, April, 18th from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM and Monday, April 19th from 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM which will be followed by a graveside service at 10 AM. The family would also like to thank all the family members and good friends for all their thoughts, prayers, and support during this trying time! May God bless our husband, father, and Papa! R. I. P. Robert T. Cherry, Sr. WOODLAWN-ROESCH-PATTON FUNERAL HOME, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. (615)383-4754.