Michael Cartwright

The mortal world bid farewell to a true original today when Michael Cartwright passed of natural causes at home surrounded by his family. While we grieve for his loss we are grateful that his long suffering is over.

Mike is survived by his wife of 63 years and sweetheart since age 14, Roma (Bailey) Cartwright.

Born June 8, 1938 in Kansas City to William and Jesse (Long), Cartwright Mike was the second youngest of seven children. Mike was preceded in death by his brothers William Jr., Patrick and Thomas and sister’s Colleen and Corrine. He is survived by sister, Vivian Cartwright ( Ward, Sperry).

Mike was a loving and devoted father to his four sons Craig, Eric, Andrew and Thomas and daughters-in-law Paula, Dana and Renee and grand-children Casey, Michael, Cody, Adam, Cali, Hope and Erin.

Additionally, foster son, Roland Borders and spouse Elizabeth.

Mike was beloved by countless friends and was known by many nicknames including Mickey, Lefty and Lucky.

Mike’s legacy is one of husband, father, athlete, businessman and charity.

Mike attended Southeast High School in Kansas City where he was a gifted athlete in football, basketball, track and baseball. In his senior year he was awarded the prestigious Knights award for athletic and scholarly excellence. He cherished his friendships from Southeast and continued to organize reunions for his surviving classmates including a 60-year reunion which was well attended.

Mike attended the University of Missouri and was a proud Sigma Chi. Mike later transferred to William Jewell College earning his degree in Economics. Mike later embraced many of our friends and fraternity brothers over the years, becoming a second father to many.

Mike and Roma married September 6, 1958 in Kansas City and they were rarely apart throughout the years living primarily in two homes in the Kansas City area including the infamous Grandview Road house for 25 years where they raised their family and an endless assortment of rotating “house guests” and a veritable menagerie of animals.

Mike was a lover of people and the parties and dinners they hosted are legendary culminating in Mike’s Fourth of July bashes complete with pig roasts, Pacific Salmon and bottomless beer kegs, horseshoe tournaments and para mutual mouse races. People would attend from all over the country and the celebration was known to last up to three days where Mike would inevitably be the last survivor.

In 1992 Mike and Roma purchased their home on the second hole at Blue Hills Country Club where Mike was a member for 56 years.

Upon graduation Mike began his 60-year career at the company founded by his parents in 1934.

From its humble beginnings at the end of the Great Depression The Cartwright Companies has evolved from a domestic moving company into a global operation with 14 entities managing 12,000 international and domestic relocations annually and employing up to 130 full-time and seasonal employees servicing the United States military, several federal agencies, private and corporate customers.

Mike was thrust into leadership of the company at a very young age following the premature deaths of his two older brothers. Mike proved capable and with his brother Tom at his side they managed and grew the company over a forty year period. Mike’s sister Vivian was instrumental as well as a VP with multiple responsibilities, for many years. Upon Tom’s death in 2003 Mike took a less active role delegating daily operations to the third generation of sons. Mike however retained his CEO title and was an active employee to the end. When not wintering at this home in Palm Desert, CA Mike still came into the office daily and never surrendered the corner office.

The international aspect of the company allowed Mike many travels and he visited Europe, Asia and Africa during his lifetime accumulating even more friends around the world.

Mike was a passionate and accomplished golfer and he and Roma enjoyed countless rounds with friends and family and traveled all over the country on golf trips. In the winters they and constant canine companions Bogey and Bunker would escape the K.C. winters in Palm Desert accompanied by many Blue Hills friends and enjoy golf and dining. We have many wonderful memories of visiting them there and enjoying dad’s legendary hospitality.

Mike carded three hole-in-ones during his lifetime and more importantly relieved a plethora of friends and opponents of currency on the greens. We believe Mike holds the record for playing in the Blue Hills member guest tournament now known as the “Duke” which he won on three occasions.

Mike was also a fierce card player and later in life when golf was lost to him due to health issues he enjoyed many hours with friends in the card room.

Mike’s greatest love was family. He was a rare individual that was almost impossible to anger despite our too many to count youthful misadventures. He was truly possessed of unconditional love.

Mike’s generosity was profound and our family has been afforded wonderful lives through his incredible generosity.

Mike’s optimism, spontaneity and sense of humor were infectious. If you met him you were his friend.

Mike loved to laugh and was always ready with a joke or a story and he could own a room with his natural charisma.

Mike was also famous for being the most impatient person alive and nothing could happen fast enough for him. We have many hilarious stories of his antics surrounding having to wait for anything.

Mike was a tremendous fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and was a season ticket holder since 1967. Some of our greatest memories were tailgating with dad in the vintage “Chiefs” bus he purchased many years ago. He was thrilled to see the team finally win a Championship and was cheering mightily for our victory returning us to the Super Bowl. We are hardily expecting the team to deliver dad one more big win!

Dad, thanks for everything, you are loved and the world is a lesser place in your absence.

Rest in peace Dad.

Please follow these instructions to watch the Livestream:

Login to your Facebook account just a few minutes before Noon, it will start at Noon.

Go to: Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home and Floral Hills Cemetery Page

Wait for the livestream live to start and then watch it live. https://www.facebook.com/NewcomersFloralHills