Jack Richter Cheaney

Funeral services for Jack Richter Cheaney, 81, of Gainesville are set for 10:30 AM Saturday December 19, 2009 at the Commerce Street Church of Christ with Ministers David Gray and Ronnie Quaid officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Friday December 18, 2009 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville, Texas.

Mr. Cheaney passed away on December 16, 2009 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas.

Jack was born in Gainesville, Texas on January 11, 1928 to Sterling Price and Blanche Richter Cheaney; he was the youngest of four children. He attended school in Gainesville where he was a life long resident. On May 6, 1950 he married Bonnie Gregory with whom he had three sons; Bruce, Pat, and Phillip. Jack credited his Uncle Tom and his father Price with teaching him the art of saddle making. He made his first saddle at the age of fifteen. Jack made a career in the business of making saddles and other leather goods and truly was a “Jack of all trades.” He taught his sons the trade and was widely known in the horse business as one of the best saddle makers of his day. He was a past member of the Gainesville Riding Club, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, and Cooke County Fair Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Texas Steel Guitar Association.

He retired in 1991 from Jack Cheaney’s Saddle Shop & Western Wear which he owned and operated in downtown Gainesville for many years. On October 7, 1994 Jack married Bette Anne Gunter. He was a member of the Commerce Street Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife Bette Cheaney, son Bruce Cheaney and wife Karen, son Pat Cheaney and wife Leslie, son Phillip Cheaney and wife Christie, stepdaughter Linda Reiter and husband Mac, stepdaughter Jay Anne Schniederjan and husband Bob. Grandchildren: Tom Cheaney and wife Carrie, Carey Sewell and husband Ryan, Candace Burnett and husband Mike, Lenzie Cheaney, Collin Cheaney, Christi Cheaney, Charli Cheaney, step grandchildren Jorie DeLeon and husband J.R., CarolAnn Dickerson, Crystal Dickerson, and Ryan Dickerson. Great-grandsons Sage Sewell, Travis Burnett, and soon to be Bradley Cheaney. Step great-granddaughters Greer Addison DeLeon, Mercedy Burnett, Madison Burnett. Step great-grandson Archer Dickerson.

Preceded in death by his parents Sterling Price and Blanche Richter Cheaney. First wife, Bonnie Cheaney. Three brothers: Harold Cheaney, Charles Cheaney, and Tom Cheaney.

Pallbearers are Bob Schniederjan, Sam Rose, Keith Hoedebeck, Mike Graves, Davis Cowling, Frank Merrill, and Phil Adams. Honorary pallbearers are Walter Vincent, Jack Brainard, Keith Thompson, Leonard Odom, Cliff Howe, Pat Sharp, and James Neu.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association.