Howard Cartwright Sr.

Howard Cartwright Sr. NORFOLK - Howard Cartwright Sr., 78, of Harbor's Edge, passed peacefully in his home Nov. 14, 2008. He was born May 4, 1930, in Ysleta, Texas, to the late Frances and Grady Cartwright. As the son of a railroad worker, his family moved with the rails as they were laid across west Texas. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and began a distinguished 27-year U.S. Navy career. In 1953, he met and married the late Geneva Curtis Doles formerly of Corinth, Miss., his loving wife of 54 years. He was a pioneer in Navy diving and an expert explosive ordnance disposal officer. A Korean War veteran, he advanced to chief petty officer and was selected as a limited duty officer, retiring with the rank of lieutenant. During his successful career, he served on board numerous ships and at shore-based assignments, including: USS Rendova (CVE-114), USS Duncan (DD-874), USS Mathews (AKA-96), USS Haynesworth (DD-700), USS Canopus (AS-34), EOD Unit-2, USS Suribachi (AE-21), USS Holland (AS-32) and at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Facility, Indian Head, Md. Following his Navy retirement, he earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Old Dominion University. He founded Cartwright Associates Inc. and reached the pinnacle of his profession as a Shaklee master coordinator by helping thousands of friends achieve greater health, personal growth and financial success. In his lifetime he had many interests. He was commodore of the Rota, Spain Yacht Club; he was an accomplished artist and philosopher, taught reading as a volunteer with the Tidewater Literacy Council, hiked the Appalachian Trail and, at the age of 70, founded Team Shaklee, a cycling group dedicated to raising money to fight Multiple Sclerosis, riding the 150-mile MS Tour six consecutive years. At 77 years young and never one to let grass grow under his feet, Howard became a Harley Davidson motorcycle owner and enthusiast. A giant of a man physically with a spirit to match, he always left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Left to honor his memory are sister, Verna Lee Brady and husband James; sister-in-law, Sue Olmsted and husband Milt; brother-in-law, James Curtis and wife Sandy; daughter, Joy Foster and husband Billy; son Howard "Butch" Cartwright Jr. and wife Diana; and son, Jeff Cartwright and wife Katie. He is also survived by granddaughters, Lisa and Tammi; grandsons, Scott, Curtis and Grady; and six great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. Howard was predeceased by his sister, Inez Cartwright. Family will receive Howard's friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, 1457 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, Friday beginning at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. An interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hampton Roads Chapter, 760 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 201, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.