Francis Cherry (governor)

For other people with similar names, see Francis Cherry (disambiguation).

Francis Adams Cherry (September 5, 1908 – July 15, 1965) was an American judge and politician.^[2] A member of the Democratic Party, he served as probate judge of the Twelfth Chancery District Court of Arkansas in 1942 and again from 1944 to 1952 and as governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955.^[3]

Francis Cherry
Cherry in 1954
Probate Judge of the Twelfth Chancery District Court of Arkansas
In office 1942–1942
In office 1944–1952
35th Governor of Arkansas
In office January 13, 1953 – January 11, 1955
Lieutenant	Nathan Green Gordon
Preceded by	Sid McMath
Succeeded by	Orval Faubus
Personal details
Born	Francis Adams Cherry (1908-09-05)September 5, 1908 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Died	July 15, 1965(1965-07-15) (aged 56) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic[1]
Alma mater	Oklahoma State University University of Arkansas School of Law
Occupation	Judge

Life and career

Cherry was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Haskill Cherry, a railroad conductor, and Clara Belle.^[4] He attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1930. After graduating, he attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, earning his law degree in 1936.^[3]

Cherry briefly served as probate judge of the Twelfth Chancery District Court of Arkansas in 1942, before he served in the United States Navy during World War II, which after his discharge, he served again as probate judge of the chancery district court from 1944 to 1952.^[5][6] After his service as probate judge, he served as governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955.^[3]

Death

Cherry died on July 15, 1965, at his home in Washington, D.C., at the age of 56. He was buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.^[5]