Charles "Charlie" A. Cherry

Charles A. "Charlie" Cherry, Jr., 80, of North Halagueno Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away August 12, 2010 at Lakeview Christian Home. Visitation will be 9:00 AM - 12 noon, Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 2010, 2:00 PM, at Sunset Church of Christ with Mike Veilleux officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Charles (Charlie) Cherry was born Oct. 11, 1929 to Charles A. Cherry and Opal Cherry of Alba, Texas. He married Vallaree Burnett Soules on December 22, 1964 in Pecos, Texas. They had three children which he loved very much, Bobby, Johnny and Patricia. Charlie joined the U.S. Navy on June 18, 1948 when he was just 18 years old. He served on the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard C.U.A. 31 aircraft carrier ship. He proudly served our country for 23 years. Charlie defended our country during the Korean War and received several honors and medals during this time. Charlie was employed with National Potash for 18 years and then went to Navajo Refinery in Artesia for 12 years. Charlie was a member of Sunset Church of Christ. He was involved in several organizations which included: International Union of Operating Engineers local 826, Big Spring TX, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3277 in Carlsbad NM, the Carlsbad Sportsman club, The Elks Lodge BPOE #1558, the Pecos Valley Lodge 736 in Pecos TX, and a longtime member of Masons of Texas of which he belonged to for 50 years. Charlie was a wonderful man who was loved by his family very much and he loved his family very much. He was a very gentle, kind, loving, strong and respected husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was very proud of his service to our country and always put his family first! He loved the Dallas Cowboys and loved watching his great-grandson 'Jake' play ball! We will miss him terribly but now Charlie can rest peacefully knowing all of his work on earth is done! He is survived by his wife, Vallaree Cherry of Carlsbad, NM; two sons: Bobby Soules of Ft. Worth, TX, Johnny Soules and wife, Weegee of McKinney, Texas, daughter, Pat Veilleux and husband, Mike of Carlsbad, NM; six grandchildren: Rhonda Davies and husband, Travis, Byron Soules and wife, Joanna, Traci Prochaska and husband, John, Jennifer Wright and husband, Todd, Tammy Bowen and husband, Bobby, and Jeff Veilleux; 11 great-grandchildren: Tara, Tyler, John Byron, Jake David, Sydney, Trevor, Emilee, Jake, Blair, Brittney and Bailey; sister, Wanda Bell Smith of El Campo, Texas; cousin, Doug Cherry and wife, Martha of Carlsbad, NM and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bobby Bowen, Jeff Veilleux, Byron Soules, John Prochaska, Todd Wright and Doug Cherry. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Christian Home, 1905 West Pierce Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.