
George Turner Cherry
May 19, 1988 – April 23, 2023
George Turner Cherry, 34, died on Sunday, April 23, 2023, after a 3 ½ year battle with colon cancer.
He was born to George C. Cherry and Mary Kathryn Turner Cherry on May 19, 1988. Turner was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, and an entrepreneur. His first venture was to form a taxi-cab company, which he ran successfully for several years before selling it. The cab company taught him many things he would use in his next venture, starting a residential contracting company.
Blue Collar Prodigy, LLC took off almost immediately. As a Class A contractor, Turner did all types of residential building, repair, and restoration. And business boomed. Then came the cancer diagnosis and the ultimate end of Blue Collar.
Turner was known for his incredible memory and analytical mind. He could read complex legal documents just one time, understand them and retain what he had read. He could maneuver around and through contracts and statutes as skillfully as many attorneys and was fearless before judges (“They are just people”), and he loved to argue.
Turner’s total immersion in anything that caught his interest was legend, and you never knew what that thing might be. He could expound on topics as varied as the angle of threads on screws and the differences between alligator and common snapping turtles. He would regale — if not overwhelm — his audience with his vast knowledge of many things.
Particularly if those things involved any facet of construction, tools, machinery, or motor vehicles. He could repair or build virtually anything around the home. He did know his limitations though; plumbing he hated, and for electricity, he had a healthy respect. High-tech items were off-limits.
Turner loved being a family man, and it was for his wife, Michell Goodwin Cherry, and daughter, Sidney Michelle Louise Cherry, that he fought so hard to stay alive. When first told he had a year to live, he looked for other doctors. He found them and underwent major surgery, followed by the most aggressive chemotherapy available and radiation therapy.
Armed with a deep determination and unwavering dedication to understanding the minutiae of his very complicated illness, Turner never retreated, allowing his medical team to experiment with unconventional methods, harsh chemo regimes and cutting-edge clinical trials. One of these was a clinical trial for which only a tiny percentage of colon cancer patients are genetically suited. His participation provided data that should go a long way toward finding a cure for the disease.
This willingness to live, despite the unknown, saw him fully outlive his original prognosis. His impressive ability to confront his mortality with courage, gratitude, and spiritual awareness, leaves an awe-inspiring legacy of unmatched courage and resilience that will continue to inspire the many young adults diagnosed with advanced cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle; daughter, Sidney; mother, Mary Kay; father, George; mother-in-law, Barbara Goodwin; and stepmother, Corinne Barbour Cherry.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the VCU Cancer Center and of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the GoFundMe account: Sidney Cherry Higher Education Account.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Affinity Funeral Service, 2720 Enterprise Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23294.
Michelle
So sorry for your loss. May the memories of Turner warm your heart. Sending love and prayers to all of you.
Mary Kay, much love and admiration to you and how you’ve handled all of this. You’re so strong; no one could have done more. Turner was such a blessing in your life, and you in his. Much love coming to you from Arkansas.❤️🙏🏻❤️
Mary Kay,
I will always cherish the childhood memories with Turner – he was one of my first pals. I’m so sorry for this profound loss and will keep you, Michelle and Sidney in my heart.
My deepest condolences to you Mary Kay, Michele. And your family. What a wonderful tribute for your beloved son and husband. I know he will be missed, Lifting you all up in prayers for peace and comfort at this sad time. I think of the Bible verse
2 Timothy 4:7-8. Turner fought the good fight. Peace be with you.
I was their neighbor across the street for years. Turner was a household fixture playing with my boys. We are all so sad for your loss as he was such a leader. Thoughts, prayers and comfort to you all. xo
What a handsome, brave and accomplished young man.
We grieve for your loss.
Vickie and Larry
Mary Kay, I’m heartbroken for you at the lost of Turner! My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always! You are a very strong woman and I have seen how you have dealt with Turner’s illness, however, its very difficult when one loses a child! I know Turner will be missed not only by his family, but by his many friends and acquaintances! May God give you strength now and forever as you deal with this grief! Love to you, Michelle, Sidney, and his father, George.
I have fond memories of playing poker with Turner and talking business. I am sadden to see the news. Many condolences.
Mary Kay.
We were so sorry to hear of Turner’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you all.
Shannon and Bernie Ferguson
Michelle, Sidney, and Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one, Turner.
He was a dedicated and thoughtful man, and we are very grateful to have known him. Turner was able to restore our historic home with his vision & meticulous attention to detail. We will never forget him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.
Lynn & Warwick Johnston
Michelle, Mary Kay, we will be walking with you and Sidney in these days and weeks ahead, helping as we are able. Please call on us for filling the role of good neighbors. We are also praying daily for you. Blessings!
Our thoughts and payers go to your family during this difficult time. Turner was loved by all who had the pleasure of meeting him.
Dear Mary Kay and Michelle,
I am deeply sorry for your loss, I love you all and will keep you in my thoughts. Turner was a very special person, he was loyal, intelligent and charismatic . I will always cherish the wonderful memories of the fun times we had together.. He will be missed by many.
MARY Kay , Michelle and Sidney
I’m deeply sorry for the loss of Turner . My family loved him dearly . We have so many good memories of him . love and so many prayers to you all .
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Keeping you lifted in prayer ! Rest Turner in His power , peace and presence.
Mary Kay, I wish I had words that would help you feel better, but I’m not sure those words exist. Please know that this old high school friend will keep you in my thoughts always.
Mary Kay, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mary Kay and family,
So very sad to see that Turner’s fight has come to an end. He was someone who made an impression on anyone who met him. Sending you love and comfort.
Anne Fleischmann-Williams
Mary Kay I’m so sorry for your family and his family loss you are in my prayers
Mary Kay, what a beautiful tribute. I know you are heartbroken. You did everything in your power for Turner. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time❤️.
MaryKay,
Reading Turner’s tribute makes me so regret not having known him
this incredible son of yours. My father told me over the years when he would see you somewhere & keep me up on you & he’d always include words about your Turner. Dad thought a lot of you.
My deepest sympathy for you in this time of utter loss. You were
such a supportive loving mother. He was so very blessed to have you as mother. You & your family are so in my heart.
I will always pray for you and your family. Thank you dear Turner
for many blessings ❤️. You have been and always will be a beautiful gift to me —. And so many others !
George will be dearly missed he was a great gentleman and always proceeded forward with whatever he persued. Deepest sympathies goes out to everyone touched by his wonderful personality from all my family and myself.
Mary Kay, you are a super woman, nurse, mom. I have watched and admired for months and months how you and Turner have handled all of this. You are amazing and both of you have been towers of strength. The love of mother and son is eternal. Big hugs and prayers.
I’m so very sorry for your loss Mary Kay. I remember how often you would talk about Turner at work and how much you loved him. Peace be with you and the family.