CHERRY, JR., JOHNSON BLAIR (1939 ~ 2023). The following is an obituary for J. Blair Cherry, Jr., former state district judge. The obituary was provided by Harrell Funeral Home of Austin. 

Judge J. Blair Cherry, Jr. passed away in Fort Worth, Texas on August 18, 2023 at age 84 and was interred at Texas State Cemetery in Austin after a private service. He is survived by his bride of 49 years, Sheila Mitchell Cherry, originally of Oxford, MS, and daughter, Catherine Anne Cherry of Cleburne, TX. He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary Cherry Patterson of Plano, her husband, Robert, and their sons Robert Jr., John, Patrick and Michael. The Mitchell family and his very dear friends who were just like family to him also survived him. His father, Blair Cherry, and mother, Florence Snodgrass Cherry, preceded him in death.

Blair was born in Austin and moved to Lubbock in 1951. He graduated from Monterrey H.S. in 1957, the University of Texas in 1962, and the University of Texas Law School in 1964. He was elected District Attorney of Lubbock and Crosby Counties in 1968 and served one term. He then opened a private practice of law and managed the family oil and gas business. In 1988, he was elected District Judge of Lubbock and Crosby Counties then served as an active judge until 2006. He retired and became a Senior District Judge, sitting by assignment around the state. In 2013, Blair and Sheila relocated to Granbury.

As a young man, Blair was an avid fly-fisherman and relished many fond memories trout fishing in Montana. He had a deep love for dogs and treasured his Irish and English Setters who were truly his “best friends”. His year revolved around the college football season and he was a lifelong Longhorn fan. Blair was a voracious reader, a great student of history, and immensely enjoyed engaging in conversations with family and friends about all things political. He was a great storyteller of his many experiences from his wonderful life.

Blair loved Texas courthouses, the people in them, and thoroughly enjoyed his 30 years as a judge. He wanted to thank everyone on his cherished team of coworkers for their unfailing loyalty, dedication and service.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Texas Center for the Judiciary to further judicial education at yourhonor.com or mailed to Texas Center for the Judiciary, Attn. Accounting, 1210 San Antonio, Ste. 800, Austin, TX, 78701, or to your favorite charity or church.