Raymond "Cherry" Eldredge, 82, of Ponder and formerly of Lake McKenzie, Texas went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.  Coach "E", as he was known by many of his players later in his career, touched the lives of many young people as he coached basketball in small schools across the Panhandle and South Plains of Texas in parts of five decades.  His positive, upbeat and encouraging style endeared him to many.

Cherry was born April 30,1943 in Ralls, Texas to Raymond and Johnny Eldredge (Cherry) of McAdoo.  He was raised on the family farm in Dickens County, and he attended McAdoo School.  He was forever a proud McAdoo Eagle graduating in 1961 and playing on the school's first state championship team in 1960.  He went on to play basketball and baseball at Lubbock Christian Jr College before graduating from West Texas State in 1964.

While driving around in his brother Bub's new car on the day after he returned from his Sr. trip in May of 1961 Jerry Johnson introduced Cherry to the love of his life Willie Hansard in Crosbyton.  They were married in Lubbock on August 10, 1963, and they were inseparable for the next 50 years until her passing in 2013.

In addition to his career in education Cherry gave back to his community.  He served on the McAdoo school board, was an active member of the Texas Girls Coaches Association and Texas Six-Man Coaches Association and a member of the Coronado Shores board of directors.

Cherry was happiest when working on something, particularly with his family members at his side.  He always had a project underway.  He was an avid woodworker and DYI guy.  In his mind no project was beyond his scope he just needed to figure it out.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his infant twin brother Ronald and his beloved wife Wille.   He is survived by his daughter Traci Yeager and husband Bruce; two grandsons Terrill Yeager and Tanner Yeager and wife Meghan; four great grandsons Reese Yeager, Jaxon Wark, Weston Yeager and Rhett Yeager all of Ponder, Texas; a sister Johnny Ray Johnson of Clinton, Georgia and brother M.O. "Bub" Eldredge and wife Mary of McAdoo, Texas.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the McAdoo Cemetery with Rev. Robbie Harris officiating.  Interment is under the direction of Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home of Denton.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the McAdoo Historical Society, PO Box 86 McAdoo, Tx. 79243.