Aubrey Lee Cherry

Aubrey Lee Cherry, 91, of El Paso, Texas passed away peacefully at home on January 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 19, 1934 in Hedley, Texas to Temple “TJ” Cherry and Etta Mae Kidd.

In 1957, Aubrey married Frances Stinebaugh in the Texas Panhandle, starting a lifelong journey centered around faith, family, friendship, education, and service.

Aubrey’s work ethic was second to none and started at a young age. Starting in his pre-teen years, Aubrey held a variety of jobs including raising farm animals, pulling cotton, running a movie theatre projector and cooking for diners in their family-owned drugstore. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he was trained in electronics repair. Following his naval service, he taught electronics at Ft. Bliss, Texas and went on to run his own electronics repair business.

Aubrey earned his bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University and his Master of Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. He was an educator for the El Paso Independent School District for 30 years, holding positions as a Teacher, Coach, Athletic Trainer, High School Assistant Principal, High School Principal and New School Planner. Living in the same community where he worked meant he frequently ran into students (aka his “kids”) from Coronado and Austin High Schools. Those interactions always brought him joy.

To Aubrey, service was as much a part of his life as family, friends and work. As a young man, he served as Chairman for the Cotton Festival, commander of the American Legion and Sunday School Superintendent. After moving to El Paso, he was a founding member of the Western Hills United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and volunteered for many committees. He also volunteered for the American Heart Association, the Girls Scouts of the Desert Southwest, the El Paso Teachers Association, the El Paso Retired Teachers Association, the Texas Retired Teachers Association and Lions Club International at the local, state and multi-state levels.

As important as his work and volunteer service were, Aubrey’s deepest sense of purpose came from his love for family and friends. The partnership and devotion he shared with Frances, his wife of 68 years, were immeasurable. His steady presence in the lives of his 5 children, other family and friends gave them strength and instilled confidence. Whether through quiet moments of guidance, unwavering support during challenges, or simply showing up day after day, he demonstrated his love through action. He led with a clear moral compass that will always be his legacy.

Aubrey is survived by his children, Clay Cherry (Diane); Melanie Jones (David); Maryetta Cherry (Joann); fourteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Cherry; son Richard Cherry, daughter-in-law, A.J. Cherry; son Michael Craig Cherry; parents, TJ Cherry and Etta Mae Kidd; and siblings, Glyndon Cherry, Lynn Cherry, Eva Jean Crisler, and Rose Lanell Gordon.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Sunset Funeral Homes-West. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Western Hills United Methodist Church. A Graveside Service will follow at 12:45 pm at Memory Gardens of the Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Texas Lions Camp (www.lionscamp.com/donations.html#Honorariums) or the America Heart Association (www.heart.org).

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler Drive, El Paso, TX, 79912. Please visit his online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.