My daddy, Robbie Robinson admired and loved him so much. He was such an awesome man. I know my daddy welcomed him with open arms.

We all send our love to the famiy.  The service was awesome.  We know he was smiling down on us.Take care and we love all of you.

It was a great pleasure to have been friends with Leon and his family.  May God keep you all in his care.It was an awesome service and We know that he was smiling on all of us.

Too young to serve in the military during World War II, but old enough to get a jump on all of the baby boomers in the hobby he loved - auto racing. He held a high profile in the Lake Charles area in that sport for many years, all the while running an industrial insulation business and raising a family of five daughters. 

I met Leon in one of the shops he shared to work on his hot rods. He had a great focus on his hobby, but he was always kind to teenagers in the 60s (and I am sure beyond) like me that wanted to learn from him. I did not know him well, but once again he was kind to me when I visited him in 2011.

He was one of those people that invented the concept that even the daily driver, in his case a pickup, should be an overpowered hot rod. That his business truck was faster than some cars he drag raced during those years with the Willys made an impression on me. In fact, it came to mind and I mentioned that "story" to my wife last week, on the date of his death, although this sad event was unknown to me until January 11.

AS you drive by the local refineries and process plants, know it is likely that Leon and his workers installed insulation on some of those miles of piping. Plenty of people helped build those plants, many of them transients to southwest LA, but Leon was one that also stayed to enjoy life here. I am glad to say I knew him.

Uncle Leon, you will be missed!  Thank you for all the wonderful memories.  We are so thankful that we had you in our lives and know that we will meet again.  Love, DD and Linda

Love u pawpaw I miss u already. I knw u r in heaven and in no pain. I knw u r having fun up there with your friends.

To Nancy and the girls and their families, our heartfelt sympathy and love.  You are all in our prayers.  Love, Johnie Dale, Judy and family.

Sorry for the loss of a fine man. I know he will be greatly missed by all. May The Lord bless and keep all of you. Prayers and love to each and everyone one of those who knew and loved Leon.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of this dear old friend.  As a youth of only 15 and with a new driver's license, I often made the trek out old Highway 90 west of Westlake to an old ramshackle tin garage to watch a Master at work.  I can distinctly remember "Cherry" sitting on the inner fenderwell under the hood of a yellow 55 Chevy, his wirey frame squatted down so tightly that his knees touched his shoulders, and revving this fuel injected small block engine so high that I was quite sure it would explode and kill us all at any second.   I recall coming in one time to see him with a gauze bandage around his bleeding head  a like a scene from a Revolutionary War painting, trying to recover from a car falling off a jack that could have killed him.


To say that Leon Cherry (I finally learned that he had two names) was a colorful character would be like calling an alligator a lizard; a tremendous understatement.  HIs antics and stories were legendary, and there was seldom a time when I didn't leave that shop either in tears from laughing, or with my jaw dropped open in complete awe of his amazing knowledge and mechanical prowess.   It's been said that one fool can ask more questions than 10 wise men could answer, and I'm sure that I gave him my best shot, but this sage was always patient and kind with me, and imparted to me as much wisdom and knowledge as my fledgling brain could handle.   He was a Wizard, and I learned a lot.   I consider him to this day to be one of my early mentors, one who helped me whet my own appetite for all things mechanical.


Time passed and I got busy with my own life, but just a few years ago ran into Cherry in the bank there in Westlake.  A mutual friend was present and I must confess I didn't even recognize my old mentor.  I'm glad to say he didn't recognize me either, as we were both older, grayer, and more than a few pounds heavier than during our previous time together some four and a half decades prior.  We were both happy for the short reunion and took some time to catch up on things.  Before we parted company I thanked him for having made such a profoundly positive influence in my life, and I think he really appreciated it.  That would be the last time I saw him.  


Author Andy Andrews writes about what is often called "The Butterfly Effect."  The butterfly effect is the sensitive dependency on initial conditions in which a small change early on (in one's life) can result in large differences much later.   Stated simply in Andy's words,  "Everything you do matters!  Every move you make, every action you take, matters not just for you, not just your family, not just for your home town.  Everything you do matters to ALL of us...and FOREVER!"


I am so thankful for Leon Cherry, and that he took time to visit, share, and mentor with that pimply faced, inquisitive teenager so many years ago.  What he did mattered!  His actions certainly did make a difference in the life of that one young man, me.  I appreciate every moment of that experience, and hope that is some small way, I've been able to pass things on to the next, in a never ending cascade of influence.  Part of Leon Cherry's legacy.


My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.  May God give you comfort and peace during this time of sorrow.   I am sure that he will be sorely missed.  But I celebrate his memory, and remain ever thankful for all that I have gained by having the friendship of this one good man.

Prayers and thoughts for u and ur family Brenda.  If u need something let me know. Love ya

I well always have fond memories of "Bones" in our racing days. Our prayers go to the family, he will be missed.
A.L. "Buzz"  and Linda Ward

I can tell I missed out on a lot, not being able to get to know Uncle Leon better!  What a hip dude!!!

  Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures here with us.  You all are in my thoughts and prayers.  Praying for an abundance of peace, comfort, love and strength for your amazing branch of the Cherry tree.  Prayers for my sweet great aunts, Aunt Alice and Aunt Mildred, and all extended families as well, as for Nana and our branch.  MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Debbie we are thinking about you at this hard, hard time.You are in our prayers.We love you very much!!!

GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY..Words can't describe my feelings for him ..Cherry was like my second father I will forget him GOD BLESS HIS SOUL!!  Bones watch over us  LOVE YOU  ..NANCY if you need anything call me    Blue Duraso

Johnie & Judy Crocker and family are with you in spirit and our prayers are for your strength. We will all miss Uncle Leon forever.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Charles Leon Cherry

24 août 1935 – 8 janvier 2014

Hixson Westlake

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