Thomas "Elmer" Cartwright

Thomas “Elmer” Cartwright, 98, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at a local health care facility.  He was born on May 14, 1919 in Meigs County to the late Thomas Owen “T.O.” and Annie Atchley Cartwright. 

He was a combat wounded World War II veteran of the United States Army.  For his service Elmer received a Purple Heart, Asia Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, a World War II Victory Ribbon and a good conduct medal. 

Elmer was a former service station owner, Charlie Chip sales person and the supervisor of the Cleveland City Sanitation Department when he retired after 14 years of service.  In 2008 he was named Republican Man of the Year in Bradley County. He was a long time member of the North Cleveland Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mattie Lou Morrow Cartwright who passed away on January 31, 2017; daughter, Kimberly Cartwright; two brothers, Garland Cartwright and Benny Cartwright; and four sisters, Pauline Kile, Leila Harmon, Juanita Bradford Matthews and Jeri Thomas.

Survivors include his brother, Eddie (Milteen) Cartwright; uncle, N.C. (Betty) Cartwright; aunt, Della Mae Hobby; and also several extended family members.

The funeral will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2018 in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with the Reverend Jeannie Cissom and Dr. Jay McCluskey officiating.  The interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors.   Bebo Harris, Zane Harris, David Benton, Ed Lewis, Scotty Gilbert and Scott Nipper will serve as pallbearers.

His family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family suggests that memorials be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

His family would also like to thank the staff at Bradley Health Care and Rehab.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Cartwright family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.