(Spotlight by Diane Smith)
Cherry
Humpherys Gott was the middle of seven children born to Roy and Betty Humpherys
in Orem, Utah. And unless you take the time to visit with her, you will never
know what a talented and unique individual she is.
Once
completing her secondary education at Orem High School, Cherry headed up to
Rick’s College in Rexburg, Idaho in anticipation of preparation for a career in
nursing. However, it didn’t take long before she discovered it wasn’t the path
for her. After a semester abroad to Israel and returning to Utah County, Cherry
interrupted her studies, then at BYU, to serve a mission in San Antonio, Texas,
the seventh-most populous city in the United States. Upon completion of her 18th
month service, she was not quite ready to come home so instead she enrolled in
the Church College of Hawaii to complete her generals.
Even
though she enjoyed attending various colleges, it was important that she return
to BYU to complete her degree in Elementary Education. As one of her final electives, Cherry signed
up for a golf class. The instructor paired with her just happened to be a
highly recruited young man from Los Angeles and who was instrumental in helping
BYU take nationals that year. His name was Erich Gott and was a newly baptized
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though she claims
not to have mastered the game of golf, there were far greater benefits to both
teacher and student. This was evidenced by their marriage in the Provo Temple
one year later.
Their
current posterity consists of one son, three daughters, and 11 grandchildren.
Each of the daughters are married and live in Utah and are accountable for all
grandchildren. Their son is the one hope for additional numbers should he settle
on a companion.
After
Erich’s graduation in Secondary Education, both were anxious to root themselves
far from Provo. Thus, when an offer came from Aurora, Colorado they quickly
packed their belongings and headed east. Thirty years later Erich finally grew
tired of correcting mathematical equations and opted for retirement. However, two
years later he announced retirement was far overrated and search for a new
adventure began.
As
a young mother having taught P.E. prior to children, Cherry was concerned about
staying fit. Joining a local gym created the need for active sportswear. Little
did she know that her first and only purchase of a rather expensive pair of
leggings would lead her to an entrepreneur opportunity. While in a fabric store,
she happened upon the exact material as her recent purchase. She bought a yard
of the fabric, went home and unpicked her gym pants and found that she could
make two pairs out of the yardage. That was the beginning of “Gott Fit” which mass-produced
and sold over 500,000 leggings with the help of a manufacturing company in
Denver. She also sold 500 pairs of muscle pants one year at “A Taste of
Colorado,” a yearly festival produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership held every
Labor Day Weekend.
With
daughters taking dance, there were costumes to be sewed and soon others were
seeking her talents. An offer was subsequently presented to her by a father of
one of the dancers which opened the way for her next entrepreneurship. Anxious
to unload his costume shop, Cherry was able to purchase it well below market
value and slowly transitioned out of “Fit” to “Gott Costumes”. For 21 years her
store has been frequented for unique costumes and up until the recent pandemic
has been fairly profitable. It became a family operation with her children
gaining retail experience and secured employment during their high school
years. She also never had to worry where they spent their free time. Between Erich
and Cherry’s travels to various parts of the world, she has attempted three
times to close the shop, yet each time something has kept her from doing so.
However, she admits that reducing inventory and letting go will probably not
keep her from frequenting thrift stores just in case there might be a great
costume hiding or some embellishment that is too good to pass up. Perhaps she
will also keep designing capes on request or putting the finishing touches on a
needed costume for a friend or family member.
Though
the makings of a wonderful life, Cherry has had her share of challenges. In
2003 she was rescued from a burning car and in 2008 she was in a horrific automobile
accident that destroyed her pelvis. Six surgeries in six years all failed. Her
doctor informed her there was nothing more that could be done and she would
probably be confined to a wheel chair the rest of her life. Not to be deterred,
Cherry heard of a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix that did extraordinary
fixes on hips. She sent her x-rays and moved to Phoenix for three months were
Dr. Beauchamp performed surgery on her hip with amazing results. Though she has
a slight limp because of extensive nerve damage, she is grateful for her new “norm”
which gives her freedom that once she thought had been lost.
After
the children left home, was when Cherry and Erich started spending their
summers cycling in places such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Germany, and other
European countries. when Erich decided he had enough of nothing, this pastime
may have been the catalyst to considering “Search Associates,” the leading
recruiting agency for international teachers. After attending a Job Fair in
their city, they received an offer to teach at the American School of Dubai.
They spent three incredible years there with Erich teaching math and Cherry as
a teaching assistant. While Cherry could have secured an actual teaching
position, she opted for free time and opportunities to return to the United
States whenever she was low on grandma hugs. The Gotts returned to Utah after
the completion of their first international instruction to store up on family
memories while awaiting their two-year assignment to India. Upon completion of
their last obligation, and the pandemic raising havoc around the globe, they
decided it was time again to go stateside before considering any future travel
plans. Lucky for us their halfway point between Erich’s teaching job at Ogden
NUAIMS and their two daughters in Utah County landed them in the 19th
Ward boundaries.
While
the future is still a little nebulous, the Gotts believe in seizing the moment
and enjoying family while close, making new friends, and taking in the variety
of Mexican food and Crumbl cookies before they venture off again. They didn’t
spend much time in movie theaters before COVID-19, yet Cherry might be enticed
if there are great costumes to view in productions such as “The Greatest
Showman” and “Frozen”.
Cherry
loves the color green, being a grandmother, “Come Follow Me”, and the gospel.
She’s happy doing the small things and is grateful to serve in the church as a
teacher, camp director, missionary, or simply as a ministering sister.
Don’t
expect to find her at home after 9 a.m. as Cherry tends to become claustrophobic
and anxious to get out exploring. Those six years confined to a wheelchair made
her realize time is of the essence and not to be wasted. So make sure you don’t
misuse the opportunity to introduce yourself to Cherry and Erich.
