Jim Cartwright

James Williams Cartwright III, was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 15, 1926 to James Williams Cartwright, Jr. and Helen Segraves Cartwright. Jim was welcomed by his Lord and Savior for his Homecoming Celebration on Friday, September 5, 2014. What a glorious day!

Jimmie spent his first 13 years in Osceola, Arkansas where the Williams and Cartwright families were early settlers to the rich farmland community located in Northeast Arkansas on the banks of the Mississippi River. In 1939 the family moved to Memphis and after high school Jim entered the Univ. of Oklahoma to study petroleum engineering. Like many young men of his time, studies were interrupted by WWII. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific aboard an attack transport carrier as a Radar Officer in the CIC.

When the war ended he returned to Univ. of Oklahoma to major in Business and Finance. While a student he married his Memphis sweetheart, Josephine Johnston, and after graduation they returned to Memphis to start a career and family. They had two daughters, Catherine and Gayle and a son Drew.

A few years later, Jim joined a national company and was a sales representative for NuTone, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. Some years later, he was promoted to Regional Sales Manager for ten states in the South and Southwest area. He was with the company for 36 years. Through the years the family lived in Memphis, Ft. Worth, Houston, New Orleans, back to Houston for 17 years and has now called Austin home for 32 years. Jim and Jo have remained close to their lifelong Memphis friends, Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Bailey and Dr. & Mrs. William Coley.

His quick wit and keen sense of humor made him a natural salesman. He was a man of integrity and was very devoted to his church, family, friends and career. Since retirement from NuTone he remained close friends with his award winning sales team who respected him as their leader but even more as their friend. His family wishes to thank Jim’s ever faithful lunch buddy, Paul Kristynik.

Jim retired from NuTone and became a real estate broker. He formed J. Cartwright Properties, and was later an associate with JB Goodwin. He loved sports, especially baseball. Though he owned Houston Astro season tickets for 20 years, his favorite team from youth was St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed golfing at the Austin C.C. where he was a member for 32 years. As a member of Austin Downtown Rotary Club he maintained many years of perfect attendance.

Jim was a man of faith and served his church well throughout his lifetime. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday School in the Jr. Dept., and coached church basketball and baseball. He also coached his son’s little league team in Houston.

The past seven years, he has been a member of Riverbend Church where he attended Dean Busboom’s Tuesday Senior Bible Class and served as a faithful greeter for the Sunday morning service. He was Chairman of the 10th Congressional District Republican Election Campaign and served many years as precinct chairman. He was a volunteer for Austin Meals on Wheels for over 12 years.

Jim was predeceased by his brother Dr. Vance Cartwright and is survived by his sister, MaryAnn Overbey both of Memphis. Brother-in-Law, Cyril Johnston and wife, Ann of Dallas. Also his many nieces and nephews.

He leaves his wife, Josephine of 67 years and three children, Catherine C. Todd, Gayle C. Adarmes, husband Gerry, and James Andrew (Drew) Cartwright, wife Darlyn.

Ten grandchildren: D. Brooks Todd, Amy T. Drummond, husband Dylan, David S. Camden, Alex W. Adarmes, wife Hayley, James A. Cartwright, Jr., Taylor L. Cartwright, Caroline C. Cartwright, Clayten W. Bechtol, wife Gretchen, Cooper A. Bechtol and Sugie, Conner N. Bechtol, Great Grandchildren: Brooks, Madison and Kennedy Drummond ,Weston and Hudson Adarmes, Emery, Knox and Liam Bechtol.

Family will welcome friends at a Memorial Service on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverbend Church, Smith Chapel on Capitol of Texas Highway.

The family wishes to thank nurses and all attendants at Westlake Medical Center and Querencia Plaza for their loving and tender care.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations made to Austin Meals on Wheels, Hospice or Riverbend Church.