David Cartwright

News Obituary Article

David Cartwright, the 'priest of the electrical industry'

By DERRICK HENRY

David Cartwright blended brains with brawn, to potent effect.

At Georgia Tech during the mid-1970s, the 6-foot-3-inch, 245-pound offensive tight end's powerful blocking helped David Sims become a star running back and future pro.

In a 25-year career with the electrical contracting and engineering firm Allison-Smith Co., Mr. Cartwright rose to become executive vice president and partner. He became well-known in the industry for designing and building critical power distribution systems for data centers for companies such as IBM, General Electric and Premier Technologies.

"David was probably the premier data center design-and-build electrical engineering contractor in the southeastern United States," said Andy Naples of Marietta, an electrical engineer for Hagemeyer North America. "He could work quickly and cost effectively, and he was always trustworthy and honest. I referred to him as the Catholic priest of the electrical industry."

David Lawrence Cartwright, 61, of Roswell died Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital of complications from pancreatic cancer. The funeral is 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Alpharetta. Roswell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

At Walker High School in DeKalb County, Mr. Cartwright starred on the swimming, football and baseball teams. He was so good that upon his graduation in 1972, he had three professional baseball teams after him and 27 colleges offered him football scholarships. Among the colleges were Davison, Furman and the University of Georgia, but he chose the U.S. Naval Academy because "he decided he could get both a good education and get paid for it," said his father, William H. Cartwright of Salem, Ala.

A tight end in high school, Mr. Cartwright was switched to running back for the Navy team. He broke his neck his sophomore year, crushing his dreams of becoming a Navy pilot, his father said.

He transferred to Georgia Tech, where for two seasons "he was the perfect offensive tight end for the wishbone offense under coach Pepper Rogers," said Mr. Naples, a defensive linebacker on the team. "He blocked like a tackle."

Mr. Cartwright earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1976. Five years later, he joined Allison-Smith and quickly became one of the company's most valued employees.

"David was a workhorse," said Allison-Smith's president, Lanny Thomas of Rome. "In the 20 years I knew him, he was almost every year the top producer in terms of volume and profit. He traveled as far as London and Toronto for us. David could put a $20 million deal together in 15 minutes."

Mr. Cartwright's encyclopedic knowledge earned him a special pillow in his den at home. It reads: "Encyclopedia for sale; husband knows everything."

Outside of work, Mr. Cartwright's world centered around his family. He had four children, ranging in age from 6 to 22. His two youngest attended the Atlanta Academy in Sandy Springs, a nondenominational Christian private school for which Mr. Cartwright showed so much enthusiasm he was appointed chairman of the board in 2004.

Survivors include his wife, Lee Ann Cartwright of Roswell; three daughters, Jennifer Anna Cartwright of Roswell, Kathleen Joane Cartwright of Norcross and MaKenzie Grace Cartwright of Roswell; a son, Cole Thomas Cartwright of Roswell; his mother, Helen Cartwright of Salem, Ala.; and a brother, Ray Cartwright of Marietta.

© 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution