James Allen Cherry, 86

James Allen Cherry, 86, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Memorial services will be on June 2, 2018, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

James was born on Aug. 5, 1931, in Fresno, Calif., to Thomas and Virginia Cherry. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1950-1952 in Korea, where he was awarded a Purple Heart.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from San Diego State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

James married Cherie Guichard on Sept. 7, 1957, in San Diego. He worked at General Dynamics and Smart Plugs Corporation. James moved to Sandpoint in 2001. He retired from SmartPlugs Corporation in 2011.

He was a loving husband, father, mentor and faithful friend forever. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He loved his Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ and has been united with Him forever in eternity.

He is a member of First Baptist Church in Sandpoint, Scott Memor-ial Baptist Church in San Diego, and a past member of Toast-masters. He volunteered at Farmin Stidwell Elementary as a speech therapist. He was an active member of the local chapter of the Idaho Writer’s League and a superb story teller. He joined the creative writing group to learn how to write stories for his children and grandchildren and his stories won 1st place at the statewide competition.

He is survived by his wife, Cherie Cherry of Sandpoint; two sons, Mark Cherry of Sagle, Idaho, and Chris Cherry of Lakeside, Calif.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a sister, Gini Sorenson of Banning, Calif.; and brother-in-law Michel Guichard of Santee, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Thomas Cherry.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Jim’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.