RONALD R. CHERRY

Ronald R. Cherry, 80, of Camano Island, died Sunday March 7, 2010 after what he considered to be a lengthy and productive life.

After high school graduation in 1947 he went to the Great Lakes with a friend to fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming a sailor. After a season on the lakes he went to New York City and shipped out on a cities service tanker bound for England and Iraq to load crude oil.

The mate on the 12-to-4 watch was a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, who convinced Ron to take the entrance exam. He was surprised to learn he qualified and left the ship to join the Kings Point Class of 1953.

His sea year at the academy sent him to England, Ireland, Germany, the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Singapore and Hong Kong on bulk carriers.

After graduation he married Jacqueline Nesbitt, R.N., of Kingston, Pa., and joined the U.S. Navy at the Pentagon.

After graduation from open sea diving school he sailed the Atlantic from Cuba to Thule, Greenland repairing hull-damaged Vessels. After his discharge he joined Convair, San Diego, beginning a lengthy successful career in the aircraft and aerospace industries.

Ron used his engineering skills on the F102 and F106 interceptors, the Lockheed Midas and Samos intelligence satellites, the United Technology Atlas solid rocket boosters, the TRW SOSUS project for tracking Soviet subs and other still-classified projects.

He retired from TRW in 1960 and over the years has been involved with the Elks, Police Athletic League, Boy Scouts, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Navy League, the USMMA Alumni Association and American Legion.

Ron chose to live as a bachelor after Jacque died unexpectedly at 53.

He has four surviving children.

He considers himself to have successfully recruited his son Stephen, retired Coast Guard; his daughter Linda, U.S. Navy; grandson Shaun, U.S. Army; and grandson Garrett, into the services of this beautiful country.

He continued flying the flag and loving the smell of Camano Island saltwater until his death.

Military graveside services were held Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Anderson cemetery, Stanwood.

Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.