Former District 4 state Representative and Princeton native Mike Cherry passed away Wednesday at Dawson Springs Health and Rehabilitation. He was 81.
Cherry served as a Captain in the U.S. Navy. After retiring from the Navy, he reportedly pioneered the downtown Princeton renaissance, renovating six business district storefronts, opening the Big Springs Antique Mall and reviving the former Capitol Cinema Theater. He was also a former employee of WPKY.
Cherry was first elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1998, serving the 4th District of Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and part of McCracken counties until his retirement in 2012.
During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the State Government Committee, the Agriculture and Small Business Committee, the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee, the Education Committee, and leadership as Vice Chair of the Appropriations & Resources Committee.
According to his obituary, Cherry was also involved with the Caldwell County High School Site-Based Decision-Making Council, the founding member of the Caldwell County Free Clinic, a member of the Princeton Tourism Commission, and the Kentucky School-to-Work Council.
Cherry also received numerous awards including Citizen of the Year titles from Kiwanis and Woodmen of the World and the Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service. He also served as grand marshal in the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade and was presented the Key to the City of Princeton by former Mayor Danny Beavers.
Cherry was also a former employee of WPKY.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Dixie Gale Cherry, his son, Davis Rudd Cherry, and his sister, Dinah Sue Marshall of Virginia.
Cherry will be laid to rest on Saturday. For complete funeral arrangements, click here.
