Gene Leroy Cartwright died on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in Collierville, TN after a brief illness. Born in Skiatook, OK on December 27, 1931, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Maxine
(Cowlishaw), son Steve, parents Ynema and Harland Cartwright, siblings Phil Cartwright and Cecilia Cartwright Edwards. A Korean veteran and a graduate of Oklahoma A&M college, he was a CPA and retired partner in the national accounting firm, Deloitte (formerly Haskin and Sells), serving in their Memphis, Tulsa and New York City Executive Offices. After early retirement due to health matters, Gene
and his wife became active Birders, successfully identifying over 600 bird species in our 48 states and an additional 400 species overseas. They enjoyed Ball Room dancing and many days boating and fishing on
Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas where they lived for 15 of their retirement years. He was active in numerous Tennessee and Arkansas civic and charitable organizations, including Rotary, disaster relief, nursing home missions, Forever Young Veterans, environmental groups and Senior Center fund raising. Gene was also involved in many of his Baptist and Methodist church activities including choir, Sunday School teacher, Senior Adult and prayer ministries. He and Maxine knew each other since the second grade and were Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, of their Skiatook, OK high school class.
Gene is survived by his children, Rhona Newport (Al) and Terri Boyd (Mark); six grandchildren- Justin Cartwright (Whitney), Patrick Newport (Victoria), Casey Newport (Micki), Watson Boyd (Ashley), Logan Boyd (Hannah) and Mary Cullen Boyd; seven great grandchildren-Jack, Hank, Tinley, Henry, Harper, Ava and Vivian; two-in-laws-Willis Cowlishaw (Patricia), Camille Cowlishaw and numerous nieces, nephews and friends, especially those at the StoryPoint Senior Residence facility in Collierville, TN.
Gene’s memorial service will be held at Collierville Funeral home on Thursday, October 26, with visitation at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent to the Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center, 1961 So. Houston Levee Rd., Collierville, TN 38017.
