Lyman Cherry

Lyman Jerry Cherry, 91, passed away June 14, 2023. He was born December 9, 1931, in Yeager, Oklahoma, the 2^nd of 5 children (4 boys and a girl) to Clarence and Nellie Cherry. The Cherry Farm was a busy place, doing chores before and after school, raising livestock, and producing wheat, corn, cotton, and then peanuts. Work always came first, and then ball could be played. All 4 boys loved baseball, 3 were pitchers and Lyman was always the catcher. They played fall baseball, winter basketball, and spring baseball for Moss High School. Lyman lived in Rural Hughes County Oklahoma, just 3 miles east of Horntown, until 1951, before moving to Augusta, Kansas to live with his Uncle after graduating from High School.

Early in 1951, Lyman met Melba Miller on a blind date. It was set-up by Melba’s sister who worked with Lyman at Beech Aircraft. They were married in November of 1952, at the First Church of the Brethren. Most of their married life was spent in the Wichita area except for the 15 months when they lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Lyman was working for Sinclair Oil and Gas.  He returned to Wichita to continue his aircraft industry work that would span more than 50 years from Beech, Alon, Lear Jet, and eventually to Cessna. Lyman would spend 35 years with Cessna as an Engineer, Executive Engineer, and the last 17 years as the Head of the Experimental Department, certifying multiple aircraft including all 10 of the Citation Business Jets.

Lyman loved helping others. Whether it be his family, church family, or neighbors, he was always willing and able to help. Construction, renovation, and remodeling was always his favorite, especially with his “Crew of Cronies,” DG, Dr. Bob, Don, Kurtis, Barney, and Henry.

Lyman is preceded in death by his wife of almost 70 years, Melba, and daughter Debi, his parents, Clarence and Nellie Cherry, and brother Ralph. He is survived by his children, son-in-law Roger, Steve (Yolanda) Cherry, David (Robin) Cherry, and Scott (Karen) Cherry; 12 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren, his sister Dorothy Hughes, and his brothers Dale (Sue) Cherry and Randal (Rosa Lee) Cherry.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 18^th, 2023, 10:30 am, at The First Church of the Brethren, 1103 North Jefferson Street in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The First Church of the Brethren and Providence Hospice Care, 6410 NE Halsey Street, Portland, Oregon, 97213.