CHERRY, Joe W.

Joe W. Cherry age 84, passed away June 10, 2010 in Canton, Ohio surrounded by his wife and two of his daughters. Born in Nashville, Tenn. on August 24, 1925, he moved to Tucson, Ariz. at a very early age with his family and considered himself a native son. He attended Tucson High School (THS) where his performance on the basketball court in his junior and senior year earned Tucson High School its first state championship in many years and led him to be selected to the All State Team. He continued his basketball excellence at the University of Southern California (USC) before being drafted into the US Army where he served his country during World War II in the Army Medical Corps. and where he received numerous medals for his dedicated service including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. Following his tour of duty he returned to the University of Arizona to again play basketball where his team won three consecutive conference championships and competed in the NCAA National Championship. Upon graduation he pursued graduate studies in biochemistry and returned to active military duty serving in Panama during the Korean Conflict and retired at the rank of Captain, United States Army. Following release from military service, he began employment with El Paso Natural Gas Company as a landman in their oil and gas exploration department which led to his transfer to Ohio. At that time he determined it prudent to begin his own company, Petroncon, Inc. locating it in East Canton, Ohio. His company was well known in the Ohio area for more than 55 years, and he was a steadfast member of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. He became an influential pillar of the community by virtue of his and his company's participation in local activities and philanthropic pursuits. Especially important to him were his contributions in helping to develop a local community center, the building of a new neighborhood church, and the establishment of an Academic Achievers Program at an area high school. However, his western roots were always an integral part of him and he kept his ties to the Tucson community by instilling a love of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in his family, and by actively participating in the Tucson High School Badger Foundation, and as a member of the Tucson High School Alumni "T" Club. A graduate of the Class of 1943, he was inducted into the Tucson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 for his athletic accomplishments in basketball and a scholarship was awarded in his honor in 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Louella Cherry and his sister, Margaret Cherry Robb Thomas. He is survived by his sisters, Jane Cherry (John deceased) Calhoun and Mary Ruth Cherry (Wesley) Bramhall. He leaves his devoted wife of 51 years, Madeleine and his four children, Robert (Corienne) Cherry, Jennifer Cherry (Jefferson) Holston, Susan Cherry (Christopher) Bowman and Sharon Cherry (John) Daugherty; eight grandchildren, Christopher (Julie) and Brittany Cherry, Heidi and Haley Holston, Sarah and Rachel Bowman, Brooke and Clark Daugherty; two great-granddaughters, Avali and Kylie Cherry. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. In honor of celebrating his life with Arizona family and friends, a Memorial Service will be held at the Catalina United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Ed Bonneau officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that contribution be made on his behalf to either the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum at 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743 or the Tucson High School Alumni "T" Club Scholarship Fund at 2510 East Grant Rd, Suite 140, Tucson, AZ 85716. Condolences or fond memories may be shard online at: ADAIR FUNERAL HOME. www.adairfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME.