Thomas Dwayne Cherry

Thomas “Tom” Dwayne Cherry, long-time Seminole resident, passed away on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025, at the age of 78. He was born on August 31st, 1947, in Fresno, CA to Woody Arthur Cherry and Emiline E. (Geiger) Cherry. The youngest of Woody & Emiline’s five children.

He enlisted into the United States Army in February 1965. He was a medic in the army. He was stationed in Germany for three years. He was a sharpshooter, as well as a noncommissioned officer for four weeks. He had an honorable discharge on January 12th, 1971.

Tom came back to the states and went to work at General Motors in Fremont, CA, met and then married the love of his, Bonnie Lynn Fredrickson on July 19, 1969 in Santa Clara, CA. To that union they had two children Lisa Kay and Duane Thomas. Tom and Bonnie were married for 49 years and eight months till she preceded him in death in 2019. Tom continued to work at General Motors till 1979 when the Fremont plant closed and he chose Oklahoma over Detroit, MI. He loaded the family up and moved east. Worked at Oklahoma General Motors for another nine years. He then went to work for Dwight Roberts with Roberts Building Systems until approx. 2013 and then at that time he was able to retire early to be Bonnie’s caregiver and take care of her until her passing. He was very passionate about mowing and taking care of lawns. He mowed the Community of Christ Church lawn for years and took pride in getting it perfect on Saturdays that way it was presentable on Sundays. He also incorporated the eldest grandson, Tevin, to weed eat when he was unable to. Tom also enjoyed riding motorcycles, and going on poker runs, with his family and friends in his free time. He was a Dad, a Bump, a Bumpa, an Uncle, and an Old Man to all that knew him.

Tom is survived by Lisa and Henri Marcel of the home, Duane Cherry and Kristine Britt of Ada, OK; Grandchildren, Tyler Marcel and Kaitlyn Bates of Shawnee, OK; Kal Marcel of the home; Brandi and Kalone Blackwell of Earlsboro, OK; Henri-Robert “Robbie” Marcel III of Seminole, OK; Great-Grandchildren, Tevin, Jarrin, Kamrin Blackwell of Earlsboro, OK; Hudson Marcel of Seminole, OK; River Marcel of Shawnee, OK; Sister Betty Hildebrand of Bakersfield, CA; Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and many other family members as well as family friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his brother Earl “Sonny” Ivins; Sisters Wilma Jean Pelow and Carole Sue Ratzliff.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Lord’s Community Church in Seminole, Oklahoma. Thomas Gates will be officiating.

Services are under the direction of OK Cremation and Funeral Home, Oklahoma City.