AtAtwood Childress “Woody” Cherry was born on September 9, 1943, to William Odell Cherry and Mary Edith (Childress) Cherry in Clovis, New Mexico and passed away on April 9, 2026. He was the youngest of five siblings and the only boy in the bunch. In his early years the family lived in Bovina, Parmer County, Texas. In 1949, the family moved to Lorenzo, Crosby County, Texas, where he completed his basic education, graduating from Lorenzo High School in 1962. His undergraduate studies were completed at Tarleton State College, now University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1967. He was selected to be the Tarleton State ROTC Cadet Corp Commander for 1966-67 school year and upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry and spent the next 20 years in the Army, retiring in 1987. Additionally, he was a two-year Letterman as a member of the Tarleton State Golf Team. He was also a Life Member of the Amateur Radio Relay League.
Atwood married Carolyn Price on May 27, 1967, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Carolyn was his devoted wife and confidante for the next almost 59 years. While in the Army, especially during his deployment to Vietnam, Carolyn took care of the family. Carolyn’s dedication as his wife was more evident than ever as she looked after Atwood’s welfare during his post-retirement, multiyear battle with cancer and cancer treatments, all of which were attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.
Atwood served in various command and staff positions during his twenty-year military career. He was an Army Advisor in Vietnam (1968-1969), Operations Officer and Company Commander United States Army Base Command Okinawa, Japan (1973-1976), Training Officer at Fort Bragg (1976-1983) and Training Analysis Officer at Fort Irwin (1983-1987), retiring as a Major in 1987. The highlight of his career was serving as the General’s Aide to Major General Charles W. Ryder (1971-1972) while stationed at 5th US Headquarters, Fort Sam Houston Texas. Immediately following retirement in 1987, he worked as a Training Specialist in the defense industry in Newport News, Va. After five years of working in the Defense Industry, he became a Social Studies teacher in public and private high schools in Virginia for the next fifteen years. He also served several years as an Adjunct instructor in Psychology, Human Relations and Management for St Leo College Fort Eustis, Va. Upon his retirement from teaching in 2009, Atwood and Carolyn returned to Texas to be closer to family.
Atwood was a life-long learner earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Tarleton State, a Master of Education Degree, University of Maryland and a Master of Arts from Webster University. He also studied at: University of Oklahoma, University of Virginia, Georgia State University, Hampton University and earned his Virginia State Teacher’s License from Christopher Newport University. After retirement he continued his education by completing the Education for Ministry course of study at Grace Episcopal Church Georgetown.
Atwood is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, of 59 years at the end of May, of Georgetown, Texas, son Paul, daughter-in-law Natalya and grandson Gregory of Fort Worth, sisters Patricia and her husband Walter Brown of Lorenzo, Texas and Linda Blansitt of Austin, Texas. Atwood was preceded in death by his parents Odell and Edith Cherry, daughter Anissa and son William, sisters Mary Peckinpaugh and husband Jerry, Lera Dell Logan and husband James and brother-in-law Gerald Blansitt.
Atwood’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the many physicians, surgeons and attending staffs at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Round Rock and Temple for their support and care given during his more than ten year battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the new Grace West Episcopal Church building fund, the Grace Episcopal Church Altar Guild or flower fund. The funeral will be at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown, Tx on May 9th at 10:00 am with reception following.