Jerry Lee Cherry, Sr. age 70 of Watertown died Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, 2023 @ Vanderbilt-Wilson Hospital in Lebanon. Born Jan. 21, 1953, in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Raymond Cherry and Lela Copas Cherry and was preceded in death by a grandchild, Brilee Cherry, sisters, Lily May Christian and June Ferrell and brothers, Charles, Richard, Roy, Kenneth and Douglas Cherry. He was a previous member of The Church of Christ and had given his heart to Jesus.
Jerry started working for AVCO Aerostructures in 1973 at the age of 20 years old for the $9 million plant which ultimately employed thousands of men and women. He loved his work, work-family and dedicated his life to working for the manufacturer up until he was forced to retire in 2014 at the age of 61 due to illness. In 1982, he completed a specialized process course as Anodize and Alodine specialist. His most notable accomplishment was for the idea of using a special holding tank in the Anodize process for which he received a monetary award and industry-wide recognition. During his 41 years with the company, he worked on numerous parts for war plans, commercial, and personal aircraft such as the Grumman intruder bombers, McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jets, C-141 C-5A cargo planes, Bell Huey (Vietnam) and Cobra (Vietnam and after) helicopters. He also anodized and processed parts of the space shuttle, wings for various U.S. and British bombers, European airbuses, as well as rocket nose parts.

He was known by family and friends as a sweet, kind, and caring man who loved his boots, blue jeans, and Western shirts. He was a longtime fan of the three teams he loved most: Atlanta Braves, Tennessee Titans, and the Cincinati Reds. He enjoyed a good cup of coffee and spending time with his family and grandkids, as well as the family dogs (most of the time) Ellie, Jack, Jill, and Lola. Some of favorite pastimes were listening to country music (George Jones and Credence Clearwater being his favorites); working crossword puzzles and word searches; traveling to the Amish to buy produce; and watching the Demolition Derby at the Wilson County Fair.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Carlene Hubbard Cherry; children, Tammy Cherry-Bailey (Brandon) of Riddleton, Tonia Cherry of Watertown, Jerry Lee Cherry, Jr. of Brush Creek, Scotty Cherry of Watertown and Tina Cherry McCarter (Michael) of Watertown; grandchildren, Jessica Jenkins, Jordan Chambers, Darian Cook, Dakota Cherry, Alexandra Lester, Justin Elder, Dakayla Cherry, Dalton Cherry, Kaden Cherry, Leianna Cherry; great grandchildren, Ty McKinnis, Emery Chambers, Dean Chambers, Charli Cook, Tucker Cook; sisters, Jean Ferrell and Margaret Ferrell; nieces and nephews. Also, he left behind a previous work colleague and life-long friend, P. John Conatser. Ultimately, Jerry was a dedicated, self-less family man who was greatly loved by all and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at Hunter Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Sellars officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. till service time on Saturday. Pallbearers, Dewayne Ferrell, Jason Ferrell, Dalton Cherry, Kaden Cherry, Justin Elder, Carlton Ferrell. Interment at Hunter Memorial Park.