Isiah Cherry

Isiah Cherry (known by many as Ike and affectionately known by family as Buddy Boy) 83, of Manchester passed away Wednesday March 25, 2026 in Toms River, NJ. Isiah was born in Pactolus, North Carolina to the late Annie R. Cherry and William H. Cherry. Isiah is a graduate of Bethel Union High School in Bethel, NC. After completing undergraduate work at Ocean County and Stockton State College, he earned his Masters in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was also a graduate of the New Jersey Certified Public Managers Program and the Army Command and General Staff College. He has completed numerous police and military courses associated with his work. He served 6 years in the United States Army after high school and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He later joined the New Jersey Army National Guard, where he served for 18 years, and retired in 1994 with rank of Major, and as the Division Ammunition Officer. After leaving the Army in 1968, Isiah joined the New Jersey State Police. He served as a general duty trooper at Hightstown, Woodbridge, Bordentown, and Howell Stations for 2 years before receiving an assignment to the Narcotics Bureau. He worked throughout the state doing undercover drug and gambling investigations. He has worked with the Fugitive Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Race Track Unit of the Special Investigations and Services Bureau, Investigation Unit of the Internal Affairs Bureau, and Trial Unit of the Criminal Enterprises Racketeering Bureau. He retired as Captain and as the Assistant Section Supervisor of the Special and Technical Services Section. He volunteered for the Caregivers of Central Jersey and worked with the Division of Elections as a Poll Worker until his health was challenged.

Isiah was a faithful member of Harmony Ministries where he was an Usher and participated in Missions Outreach and Men’s Fellowship until he was no longer able. Isiah was a Master Mason and he was a member in many different houses within the fraternal order. He loved the members as if they were his own blood relatives.

Predeceased by his parents William H. Cherry and Annie R. Cherry, sisters Retha Carmon, Ethel Gardner and his beloved wife Doris Jean Daniels Cherry.

Survived by three devoted daughters; Christala Cherry of Manchester, Juanita Cherry of Edgewater Park, Monica Cherry of Edgewater Park, and his namesake, grandson Isiah Daniels Sams of Edgewater Park, his brother Moses Cherry (Faye), sister Mary Stevenson (John), sister Ruby Corey (Fontaine), a host of loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A Celebration of Isiah’s life will be celebrated on Monday April 6, 2026 at Harmony Ministries: 401 Chestnut Street, Lakehurst, NJ 08733 at 10 am. Interment will follow at Princeton Memorial Park in Robbinsville, NJ.