Marlin A. Cherry's Obituary
Marlin Arthur Cherry died pain free and peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on April 17, 2026. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Shane and Lisa Cherry, his daughter and soon to be son-in-law Kyra Cherry and John Rogers, his brother Ted, his sister’s Carolyn and Becky, cousins Linda and Peggy, his four grandchildren, ShyAnne, Lillian, Olivia and Karder, his former daughter in law Kimberly Sullivan and her husband, and stepfather to Karder, Brian Sullivan, his exwife, mother of his children and friend for life, Claudia and her husband and friend, Mike Mullins, what seems to be like hundreds of nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, his childhood best friend glen gentry, long time friend and business partner, page Parker, long time friend, Ed Allen, his Dairy Queen breakfast crew, and so many more.He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy “Ted” Cherry and Georgia Honeycutt, stepfather Thurman Honeycutt, his brothers, Kent, David, and Mark, his great Uncle Hoyt, his brother in law Kent Paluga, his former mother and father in law, June and John Smith, and most recently, his son John Kaleb Cherry. Dad will be cremated and buried with Kaleb who died by suicide in 2023. A proud Veteran himself, will undoubtedly welcome dad with open arms to his final resting place in the Field of Honor within Restland amongst the other heroes who also sacrificed for our God and Country. Dad grew up in Westminster, Texas by way of Stephenville, Tolar, and Granbury. Dad is a steward of the old, traditional ways of Texas and he knew everyone and their great grandfather; generations worth of families’ histories and traditions that he would regularly share and always cherish. It meant so much to him to grow up how he did and he passed that on to so many. He grew up a Cowboy, a hay bailer, a farmer, bull rider, a good student and famed athlete in his parts, getting a full ride to Texas A&M for academics and football. By trade, he was a carpenter, a builder….But if you ever called him a framer, you’d get an ear full. A carpenter was an important distinction and he was proud of it. If you knew Dad, one thing you knew immediately, was he didn’t want anybody to tell him what to do or how to do it. So much so that as a senior in high school, he chose to forgo his scholarship and voluntarily entered into duty with the US Air Force…because, “I sure the hell wasn’t gonna get drafted, if I’m going to Vietnam, I’m going because I said I’m going, not because I’m being told to.” He was an extremely proud Vietnam Veteran, serving as a Sgt through a tour in Vietnam from 1971-1975. He wore his legendary Vietnam vet cap daily. He was that way all the way to the end we were all told his cancer was too big and too aggressive. So, he made the decision to forgo any further treatment and went out on his own terms. Just like the Cowboy he was. Dad was a man of God, always a believer but also a cynic because of his equal belief in science. He was the epitome of a Texas cowboy. Bolo ties, cowboy hats, boots, and belt buckles. Jeans and suit coats for special events. He either had the best Tom Selleck mustache or an equally as good Sam Elliot handlebar. He was the type of man Hank Williams Jr. wrote, “A Country Boy Can Survive,”about. He could skin a buck, and run a trotline, that’s for sure. Dad could build anything, could beat up your dad, and knew everything from how far the sun is from the Earth to how to break a horse. He was the smartest man we all knew and his carpentry was absolutely perfect. He was larger than life and had the stories to go with it. His humor was second to none and you better have thick skin if you were gonna stick around and try to keep up with his wit. Dad is the strongest person and taught those around him what it meant to be strong even when it was hard. His character was unmatched, and even in the end he chose to ride up to Cowboy Heaven on his own accord…Despite how difficult it made it for all of us…and despite how much he wanted to stay and fight. Cuz there was never a fight he didn’t win. Kaleb, his blue heelers and his brothers were calling him home though and he chose without hesitation or second thought. Because when he made a decision, that was it. MAC, a one of a kind man, a man that “they just don’t make like that anymore,” is immortal. He’s a man that exemplifies what it means to be a true Texan and have Texas DNA coursing through your veins, a man full of stories from a time that no longer exists, the oldest of souls, a steward of history, tradition, and always doing the right thing. He didn’t just teach us to cuss, spit, change tires and oil, fish, and use a hammer correctly, he taught us all to be honest, to do the right thing. Be loyal. Be confident. Take up for those who can’t take up for themselves. And don’t take no shit from anyone. He embodied that by being the most authentic person we may ever know. He is the person that we should all strive to be because what he said was as good as gospel and how he loved was as solid as an oak. Even if he didn’t always have the words to tell you, he showed you with his actions. He was always there. Always. He would have taken the shirt off his back or given you all the money he had because that’s who he was. Dad is gone from this Earth, but we didn't lose him. We know where he is. You did your part in getting us all where we need to be. Thank you, Dad, Granpa, MAC and Marlin. Save us a horse up in Cowboy Heaven. Your legacy will live forever. We love you and will miss you.
An inurnment will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 11:00 AM.
In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks, if you're able to donate or even just share the link, it would mean so much. Thank you.
The inurnment is scheduled for May 12, where Marlin’s remains will be buried with his son. Friends and family are welcome to attend, however, there is no service, funeral, or memorial at this time. Instead, a celebration of life memorial service is being planned for the Summer of 2026. More details to follow at a later date.
Fundraiser by Kyra Cherry : Help Marlin’s Grandkids Achieve Their Goals
https://gofund.me/52b3f7620
What’s your fondest memory of Marlin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marlin?
Share a story where Marlin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marlin you’ll never forget.
How did Marlin make you smile?